Air Force Staff Sergeant Healing After Being Shot in the Nation's Capital
A member of the National Guard is on the mend after he was gravely wounded in an ambush-style shooting last month in Washington DC.
The parents of Andrew Wolfe, 24, say "his head wound is gradually improving and that he's starting to 'regain his familiar appearance,'" said the state's chief executive Patrick Morrisey.
The soldier's relatives expects the Air Force staff sergeant to be in intensive treatment for the coming fortnight, and they feel optimistic about his progress, said the governor.
Staff Sgt Wolfe was one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot when a shooter began shooting in proximity to the White House on 26 November. His colleague, 20-year-old his counterpart, died from her injuries.
"Our request remains for all state residents and Americans for their thoughts and prayers!" Morrisey declared.
Morrisey was present at a candlelight gathering on Friday evening for Staff Sgt Wolfe at Musselman High School in his hometown, where the guardsman was once a pupil.
A pastor at the vigil shared a statement from the guardsman's mother and father, Jason and Melody Wolfe.
"We know that there is a difficult journey to go," they expressed, as reported by regional media outlets.
"However our belief keeps us optimistic. We remain thankful for the prayers and the support from people all over the world."
Previously, the governor said Staff Sgt Wolfe had responded to a nurse with a thumbs-up and was able to move his toes.
Law enforcement have formally accused the suspected shooter, an Afghan national named the suspect, with first-degree murder and attempted murder.
Prior to his arrival to the United States in two years ago, he was once a member of a special forces unit in a paramilitary group that operated alongside American troops in the South Asian nation.
Staff Sgt Wolfe was one of two thousand militia personnel whom President Donald Trump dispatched to the Washington DC in August as part of his policy initiative in Democratic-led cities.
Following the shooting, Trump said he desired another 500 military personnel sent to the nation's capital.
The Trump administration has also referenced the attack as a reason for further immigration crackdown measures.
They have cancelled all citizenship ceremonies for foreign nationals from 19 countries that were part of a entry restriction implemented over the summer, including the suspect's home country.
