West Virginia Guard Remains in D.C. After Ambush Kills One, Governor Says No Troops Have Asked to Return

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said on Friday that none of the state's National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., have requested to come home following a Wednesday ambush-style shooting that left one guardsman dead and another critically wounded.

Deployment and current posture
West Virginia initially dispatched between 300 and 400 Guard members to the capital in August at the president's request; the Joint Task Force — District of Columbia reported about 180 West Virginia guardsmen remained in D.C. as of Friday. They are part of roughly 1,300 out-of-state National Guard personnel assigned to support public safety operations in the city.

Governor: Troops intend to stay

"I haven't heard of anyone step back," Morrisey said in an interview. "They wanted to stay. They wanted to complete the mission and serve their state and country." He emphasized his focus is on the injured guardsman, the family of the fallen soldier and on healing within the units impacted by the attack.

"Right now, I'm focusing on the families, the guardsmen, and healing," the governor said. "As time evolves, I'll keep talking with Guard leadership to make the right call."

President Trump ordered an additional 500 Guard personnel to the capital after the attack. Morrisey declined to pre-commit West Virginia forces to that surge, saying deployment decisions will be made in coordination with Guard leadership and reviewed as circumstances evolve.

Attack and response

The ambush killed 20-year-old Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded 24-year-old Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. Morrisey visited Beckstrom's parents at the hospital and described her as a well-liked and respected member of her unit who "brought positive energy to every room." Wolfe remains in intensive care; his family has asked for prayers as he fights for his life. Morrisey noted Wolfe comes from a family with a long tradition of service.

Law enforcement sources say the suspected attacker, identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national, was subdued after a third Guard member reportedly stabbed him with a pocketknife and a fourth returned fire, wounding the suspect. The suspect is hospitalized in serious condition and now faces first-degree murder charges. Morrisey, a former state attorney general, said the death penalty should remain "on the table."

The governor confirmed that West Virginia soldiers were directly involved in subduing the alleged gunman but declined to release operational details while a federal review is under way. He praised the guardsmen's response as swift, coordinated and heroic, crediting them with preventing additional casualties.

Looking ahead: Morrisey reiterated that the mission continues and should not be abandoned because of the attack, saying confronting violent criminals is necessary to protect communities. For now, his immediate priority remains the wounded guardsman and supporting the family of the soldier who was killed.