A Wyoming-based U.S. Air Force member shot to death July 20 was killed when a fellow airman at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base pointed a Sig Sauer M18 pistol at his chest in a joking manner and had his finger on the trigger, the 90th Missile Wing’s public affairs office related Friday from court testimony.
The shooter, Marcus White-Allen, was found dead on the base nearly three months after the initial fatality, Oct. 8, the statement says, adding that the investigation into his death remains open.
White-Allen was being investigated on suspicion of making a false official statement and involuntary manslaughter at the time of his death.
Braydan Lovan was the airman shot July 20.
He was a 21-year-old Remote Targeting Engagement System Operator with the squadron from Greenville, Kentucky.
Others Saw It Happen
Two more personnel, Airman 1st Class Sarbjot Badesha and A1C Matthew Rodriguez, pleaded guilty Thursday and Friday in the 90th Missile Wing’s courts martial proceedings, to false swearing, the wing announced in a Friday statement.
While pleading guilty, each said that they both saw White-Allen pull his duty weapon from his holster and point it at Lovan’s chest in a joking manner. Then they both heard the firearm go off, according to the statement.
Lovan fell to the ground.
Right after the incident, White-Allen told Badesha, “Here’s the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk, and it went off,” the statement relates.
White-Allen told Rodriguez to tell emergency responders that White-Allen’s holster went off.
A branch of the Air Force launched an investigation into that model of pistol after this incident, finding minimal issues across 7,970 M18 modular handgun systems.
Laboratory tests determined there were no defects in White-Allen’s duty-issued weapon, the wing reported.
“The false statements from both Airmen hindered law enforcement efforts,” says the statement, “leading investigators to initially believe Lovan's death was a result of an accidental discharge from White-Allen’s M18.”
The pistol’s reputation was already on shaky ground ahead of this incident in part due to reported accidents and litigation.
Badesha was sentenced to 30 days in confinement, reduction in rank to E-1 and forfeiture of $1,545.
Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days’ confinement, 15 days’ restriction to base, reduction to E-2, and forfeiture of $500, the statement says.
No Defects
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations had been investigating White-Allen for his involvement in the July 20 incident.
Evidence confirmed what the witnesses said, the statement adds: that White-Allen had his finger on the trigger as he placed the firearm on Lovan’s chest.
“We are fully dedicated to supporting the families and individuals affected by these tragic events,” said Col. Terry Holmes, 90th Missile Wing commander. “Our focus is on ensuring that justice is served and that every aspect of this case is thoroughly examined.”
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
