Family Gives Update on 24-Year-Old National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe After Shooting Near White House

(Photo left: Andrew Wolfe’s family / Photo right: 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe sources: Facebook & FBI)

The 24-year-old Air National Guardsman from West Virginia, Andrew Wolfe, is still in critical condition in the hospital after being shot Wednesday in an ambush-style, jihad-inspired attack near the White House. His family has been sharing updates on social media about how he is doing after surgery.

On Thursday, President Trump spoke with the military and sadly announced that the second Guardsman who was standing next to Wolfe, U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, had died in the hospital with her parents by her side.

On Friday, Wolfe's mom said her son had been out of surgery for a few hours. Doctors are letting his brain swell a little on purpose right now, and the next 24 to 48 hours are the most important. The prior day, NBC News reached out to the family. At first, Andrew's dad, Jason, didn't want to talk. Then he said, "Just pray for my son."

Here's what Andrew's mother, Melody Wolfe, posted on Facebook:

"Hey there, Andy’s been out of surgery for a few hours. His brain is being allowed space to swell and this first 24 to 48 hours is the biggest thing right now. They have no clue about any lasting effects right now because we’re in this very first stage. The first two weeks will be a waiting game. Right now he's surviving and alive. We got to see him in ICU and he's sedated. It feels like a nightmare and this doesn’t feel real."

Later that day, she shared a more hopeful update:

"I want to give everyone an update on our boy. We talked with the neurologist this morning and he said Andy is doing better than they imagined. He's reacting to stimuli and is opening eyes and trying to move around. They are making sure he is sedated to allow the brain to heal so he is not feeling any pain. With this being said though, we know that with a brain swell, it'll get worse before it gets better. But the neurosurgeon is hopeful that things are moving in the right direction. Andy has a very long road ahead and right now we are going hour by hour but miracles are already occurring just with his progress he’s making so far. Your prayers and love mean so much to us and we need you guys to continue lifting Andy's name up. He will be a walking testimony through this. Our God is good and miracles are happening as we speak.

I do want to make sure everyone knows we ARE NOT starting any Go Fund Me’s. I believe there’s one out there but we are wanting for nothing. We want prayers, your love, and your support. That’s the most important thing right now. So please, if you see a Go Fund Me, screenshot it and send it to me so we can make sure no one gives to these. We love you all and again, we cannot thank you enough for everything our community, state, and nation are doing to show support."

Andrew joined the West Virginia Air National Guard on February 5, 2019. He works with the 167th Airlift Wing and was helping with a new program in Washington, D.C. called the "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission" that started in August. The program brings together different government groups to keep the nation’s capital safe, clean, and welcoming.

A friend named Brooke Davison, who met Andrew through a local cornhole league, told former newspaper The New York Times that he never worried about his safety while working in D.C.

"Andy is easily one of the strongest, determined and God-fearing men I know," Davison said. "I have no doubt he has the willpower in him to come out on top of this."

Berkeley County Schools in West Virginia sent an email saying Andrew graduated from Musselman High School in 2019. The school is very proud of him and is supporting his family. "During his time at Musselman High, he was an active, engaged, and high-achieving student who embodied the Applemen spirit, contributing positively to our school community both academically and athletically,” said Musselman High School principal Alicia Riggleman.

Let's do what Andrew's father, Jason, asked for--let's pray for his recovery.

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