WASHINGTON — Just over two weeks after a gunshot wound to the head left him fighting for his life, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe has achieved what his doctors are calling “extraordinary progress.” The 24-year-old West Virginia National Guard member, critically injured in a brazen ambush near the White House on the eve of Thanksgiving, is now breathing on his own, standing with assistance, and preparing to transition to inpatient rehabilitation.

“Sixteen days ago, Staff Sgt. Wolfe was airlifted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center with a critical gunshot wound to the head,” said neurosurgeon Dr. Jeffrey Mai in a statement released Friday. “Today, we are proud to share that he has made extraordinary progress. He is now breathing on his own and can stand with assistance — important milestones that reflect his strength and determination.”

Wolfe’s remarkable turnaround has brought a wave of hope to his family, fellow service members, and a nation still mourning the loss of his patrol partner, Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who succumbed to her injuries the day after the attack.

The shooting occurred on November 26 in broad daylight near Farragut Square, just blocks from the White House. Wolfe and Beckstrom, both deployed from West Virginia as part of President Trump’s “DC Safe and Beautiful” initiative to combat crime in the nation’s capital, were on a high-visibility patrol when they were ambushed. Authorities described the attack as targeted, with the suspect — 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal — opening fire at close range before being wounded and apprehended by other Guardsmen.

Beckstrom, a 20-year-old military police specialist who had volunteered to work over the Thanksgiving holiday so others could go home, died on November 27. Her death sent shockwaves through West Virginia and the military community, prompting vigils and tributes. Wolfe, meanwhile, underwent emergency surgery to control bleeding and relieve pressure on his brain. Initial reports painted a grim picture: he was airlifted in critical condition, placed on a ventilator, and described by President Trump as “fighting for his life.”

Early signs of improvement emerged in the days that followed. By early December, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey reported that Wolfe was responding to commands — giving a thumbs-up and wiggling his toes — while still in serious condition. His parents, Melody and Jason Wolfe, shared updates emphasizing the role of prayer and medical care. “He’s beginning to look more like himself,” Melody said in a video posted by the West Virginia National Guard.

President Trump, who has stayed in close contact with the Wolfe family and met them at the White House, provided a personal update during a speech in Pennsylvania on December 9. “Today, I got a call that he got up from bed,” Trump told the crowd to applause. “He got up and, boy, they’re happy. It’s amazing.” He praised Melody Wolfe as “the most positive person I’ve ever seen,” recalling how she remained optimistic even when doctors offered little hope.

By mid-December, Wolfe’s progress accelerated. He came off sedation, became more alert and active, and began breathing independently. On December 13, MedStar announced he had been discharged from acute care at the hospital, marking a pivotal shift to focused rehabilitation.

In a joint statement, Melody and Jason Wolfe expressed profound gratitude: “The care has been remarkable, and they have told us Andy’s progress is miraculous. We also want to thank the world for the prayers. We know and appreciate the power of prayer, and we see the result of God working with and through these amazing medical professionals.”

They added that support from across the country — including from President Trump, Gov. Morrisey, and West Virginia’s congressional delegation — has been overwhelming. “People around the world are praying for Andy, and the presence of God was evident in his room on many occasions,” they said.

Wolfe, a Martinsburg native who graduated from Musselman High School in 2019, joined the Air National Guard that same year. Assigned to the 167th Airlift Wing’s Force Support Squadron, he had been in D.C. since August alongside thousands of other Guardsmen deployed under Trump’s crime-reduction operation. Friends describe him as an active, engaged individual who enjoyed cornhole leagues and FaceTime catch-ups, never expressing safety concerns despite the urban assignment.

Beckstrom, from Summersville, had enlisted in 2023 and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company. She was remembered as ambitious, with dreams of a law enforcement career, perhaps with the FBI. Her funeral drew hundreds in West Virginia, underscoring the personal toll of the deployment.

The attack has reignited debates over the National Guard’s role in domestic policing. More than 2,600 troops remain in D.C., an increase from the roughly 2,000 present at the time of the shooting. Critics, including some West Virginia Democrats, have questioned the necessity and legality of the extended mission, while supporters credit it with reducing crime.

Lakanwal faces charges including first-degree murder. Prosecutors allege the attack was premeditated, though a motive remains under investigation.

For Wolfe, the road ahead remains long. Traumatic brain injuries from gunshot wounds often require months or years of therapy to address potential cognitive, motor, and emotional challenges. Yet his rapid milestones — from ventilator-dependent to standing unaided in under three weeks — have stunned medical staff and inspired those following his story.

“While this remains an early phase of healing, his progress gives us every reason to feel hopeful about what lies ahead,” Dr. Mai noted.

Wolfe’s parents echo that optimism. They hope for his eventual return to service and describe his recovery as a “new mission” to shine as a light in the world.

In a season marked by tragedy, Sgt. Andrew Wolfe’s story has become one of resilience, faith, and the unbreakable spirit of America’s service members. As he takes his next steps — literally and figuratively — the nation watches with bated breath, praying for continued miracles.