On Friday, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that no members of the West Virginia National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C., have requested to return home following the tragic shooting that occurred on Wednesday, which left one soldier dead and another critically injured. "I haven't heard of anyone step back," Morrisey stated during an interview with CBS News. "They wanted to stay. They wanted to complete the mission and serve their state and country."
In August, at the request of President Donald Trump, Morrisey was among several Republican governors who dispatched National Guard soldiers to D.C. West Virginia alone sent between 300 and 400 Guard members. As of Friday, the military's Joint Task Force – District of Columbia reported that 180 West Virginia Guard members are currently serving in the capital. These troops are part of a larger contingent of approximately 1,300 out-of-state National Guard personnel deployed to D.C. to assist in crime reduction efforts initiated by the Trump administration.
Although President Trump has ordered an additional 500 Guard personnel to D.C. in response to the recent shooting, Morrisey has not confirmed whether West Virginia troops will be part of this surge. He expressed a willingness to consider future deployments but emphasized that he would not make any premature decisions. "Right now, I'm focusing on the families, the guardsmen, and healing," said Morrisey. "As time evolves, I'll keep talking with Guard leadership to make the right call."
Despite the tragic circumstances, Morrisey reiterated the importance of continuing the mission. "When evildoers come in and commit heinous acts, we can't back down," he stated. "That's exactly what they want." The shooting suspect now faces charges of first-degree murder, and Morrisey has indicated that the death penalty should be considered in this case.
In the shooting, 20-year-old Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom lost her life, while 24-year-old Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe sustained critical injuries. Morrisey, who visited Beckstrom's parents at the hospital after her death, described her as a deeply respected member of her unit. "She was loved and respected greatly," he remarked, noting the strong community support for her family. "There's an energy around her — people lining up to pay respects, showing sympathy, standing by their friend and the Guard."
Wolfe, who remains in intensive care, comes from a family with a rich history of service. His father serves in the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, and his grandfather is a multiple Purple Heart recipient. Morrisey conveyed the family’s request for prayers, stating, "He's fighting for his life."
According to law enforcement sources, following the ambush shooting, a third Guard member intervened by stabbing the alleged gunman with a pocketknife, while a fourth member returned fire, shooting the suspect multiple times and effectively ending the attack. President Trump confirmed on Thursday that the suspect remains hospitalized in serious condition. Morrisey acknowledged that West Virginia soldiers played a direct role in subduing the gunman, although he withheld specific operational details pending a federal review. He praised their response as swift, coordinated, and heroic, crediting them with preventing further casualties during this tragic incident.