MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The mother of West Virginia Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe called for forgiveness and consequences when discussing a potential death penalty for the man accused of the D.C. attack.
Last week, the Afghan national accused of killing West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critically injuring Wolfe in November pleaded not guilty to newly filed federal charges.
The new charges mean Rahmanullah Lakanwal could face the death penalty.
Staff Sgt. Wolfe’s mother, Melody, was a guest on Monday’s “Panhandle Live” on WEPM.
Andrew Wolfe, of Inwood, has made a remarkable recovery since he was ambushed in November. Melody attributed Andrew’s recovery to divine intervention and the community’s prayers.
Mrs. Wolfe said her son still has a long recovery ahead and their family grieves the life he might have had, if not for the ambush attack. She also said she’s made it a mission to honor the life of Sarah Beckstrom.
Mrs. Wolfe said the family was told about the enhanced charges ahead of them being announced publicly.
“When we were contacted before the news had broke, they had contacted us to let us know that they did have enough charges to put the death penalty on the table,” Wolfe said. “That’s not something that I celebrate. I’m not celebrating anything from this, obviously.”
There has been so much loss because of the attack, she said. Mrs. Wolfe said nobody wins, regardless of whether the death penalty is executed or not.
“The fact that so many lives are going to be ruined, Sarah’s gone. My son’s previous life was, was robbed from him with greater things coming, thank God,” Wolfe said. “But if they are able to follow through with the death penalty, his family is going to lose him, his children, his whoever else was living with him. There’s no winners in that.”
Mrs. Wolfe said her faith has focused her attention on forgiveness about the situation.
“Forgiveness is key when you think about our faith, and how God has, you know, instructed us to forgive others for wrongdoings as He forgives us,” Wolfe said. “I do want to see justice prevail. He does, he does deserve consequences, whether it’s him sitting in jail or prison for the rest of his life, or the death penalty. I’m not the one that’s going to hand that over. thank God.”
No matter the outcome of the trial, Mrs. Wolfe said there’s not necessarily a happy ending. She said she is praying for Lakanwal.
“None of it is happy,” Wolfe said. “I pray that his soul is saved, and that he comes to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Wolfe family continues to support their son, who will have another surgery later this year. In the meantime, they have put their support behind efforts to honor Sarah Beckstrom and support veterans, beds for children through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and the Red Cross, among other organizations.