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Airmen Admit Lies in Fatal Base Shooting
Two airmen at a Wyoming Air Force base pleaded guilty to lying about a fatal shooting that led to a temporary suspension of Sig Sauer M18 pistols at U.S. nuclear sites.
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Two U.S. Air Force airmen stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming have pleaded guilty to making false statements about the fatal shooting of a fellow airman. That led to the temporary suspension of Sig Sauer M18 pistol use at nuclear weapons sites, the Air Force announced Friday.
The suspension, imposed by the Air Force Global Strike Command following the death of Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, in late July, was lifted in late August after officials determined the M18 pistol was safe to carry. Lovan served with the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing, at the base near Cheyenne.
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Newly released details reveal that the shooter, Marcus White-Allen, pointed the weapon at Lovan’s chest “in a joking manner” before firing. After the shooting, White-Allen allegedly instructed two other airmen to lie about what had occurred. White-Allen, arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making a false statement, was found dead on a base on October 8. The Air Force has not disclosed the circumstances of his death, which remains under investigation. Laramie County Coroner Rebecca Reid declined to comment on the case.
Airmen Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez pleaded guilty this week to making false official statements regarding Lovan’s death on July 20. Badesha received a 30-day confinement sentence and forfeiture of $1,545, while Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days in confinement, 15 days of base restriction, and forfeiture of $500. Both were administratively demoted.
Investigators say the two airmen initially claimed the gun discharged accidentally after White-Allen told them to lie, saying he “slammed his duty belt on the desk” or that his “holster went off.” The misinformation led investigators to first believe the M18 misfired.
Other military branches continued using the M18 while the Air Force suspended it. The pause came amid lawsuits alleging Sig Sauer’s P320 model could fire without the trigger being pulled. The manufacturer, based in New Hampshire, denies the claims, stating the pistols are safe and that accidental discharges result from user error.
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Editor’s Note:
This article reports on the investigation and legal proceedings following the fatal shooting of Airman Brayden Lovan at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. All information is sourced from official Air Force statements and verified media reports. The case remains under review as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and subsequent actions by involved personnel.
