When a U.S. airman dropped his Sig M18, the military version of the P320, and the gun fired, killing another airman, the U.S. Air Force suspended the use of the pistol at all nuclear weapons sites for a month.
Now, more than three months later, the real story has come out. The accidental shooting had nothing to do with dropping the pistol, and the now deceased airman who accidentally shot his comrade talked his buddies into helping him cover up the deed.
According to a report at airforcetimes.com, two airmen at F.E. Warren Air Force Base outside of Cheyenne, Wyoming, recently pleaded guilty to making false statements about the deadly shooting of 21-year-old Brayden Lovan, an airman with the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing.
“Details about his death were released for the first time Friday, including that the alleged shooter, Marcus White-Allen, had pointed the gun at Lovan’s chest in a ‘joking manner,’” the report stated. “White-Allen, after the shooting, allegedly urged the other two surviving airmen to lie about what happened, according to the statement.”
White-Allen, who was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making a false statement, was found dead on the base on October 8. Air Force officials have not disclosed details surrounding White-Allen’s death, saying it was still under investigation.
According to an Air Force statement, the two airmen who pleaded guilty to making false statements were Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez. Badesha was sentenced to 30 days in confinement and to pay a fine of $1,545. Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days in confinement, 15 days restriction to base a fine of $500. Both also received administrative demotions.
The two reported hearing White-Allen’s gun go off and then seeing Lovan on the ground, according to the statement. White-Allen allegedly told Badesha, “Here’s the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk and it went off.” White-Allen allegedly told Rodriguez to tell emergency responders that White-Allen’s “holster went off,” according to the statement.
Investigators later questioned the veracity of both airmen’s story. Charges of making false statements were then filed against the two.
During the month-long pause in the use of the pistol, the Air Force reviewed all 7,970 M18s in its inventory. Inspectors found 191 pistols with what they described as “discrepancies,” mostly related to component wear. The most common problems were with the safety lever, striker assembly, and sear. Those pistols were removed from service for repair.
The Air Force confirmed that no negligent discharges or safety incidents were linked to mechanical malfunctions of the M18 and reinstated the model.
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