This piece looks at the Thanksgiving Eve shooting that killed a West Virginia National Guard member and critically wounded another, the state’s reaction, questions about how the suspect arrived in the U.S. after the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, and the push from local leaders for tougher immigration vetting and continued Guard deployments to protect communities.
The violence in Charleston hit the state hard, cutting through the usual rhythms of small-town life and leaving people searching for answers. Officials from both parties responded with sorrow, and families and neighbors gathered to support one another through a raw holiday weekend. The incident has become shorthand here for a broader argument about security and who comes into the country.
West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Josh Holstein spoke directly about the pain felt across the state and the anger that followed once details about the suspect’s background surfaced. He framed the episode as a failure tied to the chaotic end to America’s mission in Afghanistan in 2021, saying the withdrawal’s fallout opened a pathway for dangerous outcomes. That angle has energized local leaders who want clearer accountability and better screening.
“It’s just been a horrible tragedy here in West Virginia,” said Holstein, who also serves as a state delegate. “One of the things that I’ve … said from the beginning is West Virginia is just one big small town,” he added, stressing the way the community rallied after the shooting. Folks joined together in grief and in gratitude for those who serve the state.
He described how the tight-knit nature of Mountaineer communities showed itself in response to the shooting, with people from different political backgrounds offering support. “West Virginians of all political sides of the aisle came together and just mourn(ed) and share a sense of deep grief, but not only grief, but gratitude for these folks, especially these these two young folks,” he said. The losses were a stark reminder that service members and veterans are woven into the fabric of life in the state.
“These two were at the time, both fighting for their life, and now one has since passed away,” he said. “I, I just feel that West Virginians in particular have such a unique drive for service. You can see it in our numbers per capita on how many veterans we have compared to other states in the country. We’re always willing and always able to serve each other and it’s a it’s a really a perfect description of who West Virginians are.” That pride mixes now with a demand for better protections.
When reporting connected the suspect to an American-backed Afghan unit and the evacuation period after Kabul fell, Holstein’s grief turned to fury. He said the 29-year-old Afghan “was not even supposed to be here” and used that line to push back against the systems that allowed it. The sentiment among many conservatives in the state is that policy failures in Washington have real, local consequences.
“That Afghanistan withdrawal was complete debacle; complete chaos,” he said, bluntly condemning how the exit unfolded. “It’s really just an indictment on our country’s immigration system,” he said, arguing the current approach prioritizes people from abroad over Americans. That critique feeds into calls for stronger, merit-based immigration and constant vetting.
“I think this is just yet again example one thousand of our need to focus more on merit-based immigration and vetting who comes into our country at all times,” he said, urging reforms that would prevent similar incidents. Holstein also praised President Donald Trump’s response, saying the former president’s hard line on immigration and unstable countries resonated with West Virginians who want safer borders. For many here, practical steps matter more than rhetoric.
Asked about the National Guard’s role in Washington, Holstein was clear that the state shouldn’t pull back its people in a moment of need. “We can’t cower to people like this (Lakanwal). You can’t cower in tragedy,” he said, noting about 150 guardsmen from West Virginia were serving in the capital. He urged continued deployments and even suggested more reinforcements could be welcome to help restore order and protect citizens.
