Pentagon: Shooting at NC Marine base accidental
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) — A Pentagon spokesman says the fatal shooting of a Marine on guard duty at a North Carolina base appears to have been an accident.
Department of Defense spokesman Army Col. Steven Warren told reporters Wednesday that indications point to a "negligent discharge" as the cause of Tuesday's death in a guard shack at the main gate to Camp Lejeune.
The Marine who fired the single shot from his M4 rifle about 5:30 p.m. remains in custody while the Naval Criminal Investigative Service reviews the incident. He has not been publicly identified.
The victim's name won't be made public until at least 24 hours after next-of-kin are notified of the death, following standard military procedure.
Authorities quickly ruled out terrorism, and the base was not placed on lockdown.
