Air Force Staff Sergeant Healing After Sustaining Gunshot Wounds in the Nation's Capital

A servicemember of the National Guard is on the mend after he was gravely wounded in an targeted attack last month in Washington DC.

The family of Andrew Wolfe, 24, say "his head wound is slowly healing and that he's starting to 'regain his familiar appearance,'" stated the state's chief executive Patrick Morrisey.

The soldier's relatives expects the military non-commissioned officer to be in intensive treatment for the next two to three weeks, and they feel hopeful about his progress, according to the official's statement.

Staff Sgt Wolfe was one of two West Virginia National Guard members injured by gunfire when a shooter opened fire in proximity to the White House on 26 November. His fellow guardsmember, 20-year-old his counterpart, succumbed to her wounds.

"Our request remains for all state residents and the nation's citizens for their thoughts and prayers!" the governor said.

Morrisey attended a vigil on Friday evening for the injured soldier at a local secondary school in Inwood, West Virginia, where the guardsman was once a student.

A clergyman at the vigil read a statement from the soldier's parents, his family.

"We know that there is a difficult journey to go," they expressed, as reported by local news outlet outlets.

"But our belief keeps us optimistic. We remain grateful for the prayers and the support from people all over the world."

Earlier in the week, the governor said the serviceman had acknowledged medical staff with a positive gesture and was able to move his toes.

Police have charged the suspected shooter, an individual from Afghanistan named Rahmanullah Lakanwal, with premeditated homicide and assault with intent to kill.

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 US forces in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt Wolfe was one of 2,000 National Guard members whom President Donald Trump dispatched to the nation's capitol in August as part of his policy initiative in Democratic-led cities.

Following the shooting, the former president said he desired another 500 National Guard troops deployed to the District of Columbia.

The Trump administration has also cited the attack as a justification for additional restrictive policies.

They have halted naturalization proceedings for foreign nationals from 19 countries that were part of a entry restriction announced over the summer, including the suspect's home country.