SPOKANE, Wash — Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in what’s being called a “ on Wednesday.
Greg Bruno of Spokane and his wife were in the district in early September, where the couple met 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, one of two National Guard members who were shot in that attack.
“We just went as tourists we went to check things out,” Bruno said.
They were checking out the sites and just leaving famous Washington restaurant Ben’s Chili Bowl when they saw members of the National Guard on the street.
Bruno said he approached them to thank them for their service which led to a lengthy conversation about where they were from, which was West Virginia. They talked about D.C. and Gonzaga basketball.
“He seemed like a genuine person,” Bruno said, “As we got done talking, I just felt like, ‘hey can I get my picture taken with you guys?’ and they were more than happy to do that.”
Weeks passed and when Bruno saw the headlines — he was devastated.
“My heart just sunk thinking something like that could happen to somebody just out there doing their job,” Bruno said.
After the names were released, Bruno’s worst fear was confirmed.
“I instantly thought ‘oh man that can’t be him,'” Bruno said. “I looked at it and then looked back at my picture and unfortunately it was Mr. Wolfe.”
The interaction that they shared was brief but impactful.
“He seems like a special guy,” Bruno said. “He could be my son, he could be my son’s buddy, he just was a nice person.”
As a father himself, Bruno feels for Wolfe’s parents.
“This I would want them to know they had a wonderful man,” Bruno said.
As of Friday afternoon, Wolfe was still in the hospital with what officials called critical injuries. Another Guard member, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died in the hospital on Thursday.
