US Airmen Plead Guilty to False Statements in Fatal M18 Pistol Incident at Air Force Base

The lawsuits against Sig Sauer claim that its P320 pistol can discharge without trigger activation. (File)

Two US Air Force personnel stationed at a Wyoming base have admitted guilt to falsifying statements regarding the fatal shooting of a fellow airman, which led to a month-long suspension of Sig Sauer M18 pistols at nuclear facilities, according to an Air Force statement released Friday.

The temporary ban on the firearms by the Air Force Global Strike Command following the July death of 21-year-old Brayden Lovan was lifted in late August after officials confirmed the M18 was safe for use.

Lovan served as an airman with the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne.

Information about his death was disclosed for the first time on Friday, revealing that the alleged shooter, Marcus White-Allen, had pointed the weapon at Lovan's chest in what was described as a "joking manner." Following the incident, White-Allen reportedly encouraged the other two airmen to misrepresent what occurred, the statement indicated.

White-Allen, who had been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making false statements, was discovered dead on the base on October 8. Air Force authorities have not released details about White-Allen's death, stating that investigations were ongoing.

Laramie County Coroner Rebecca Reid has not responded to phone messages seeking information about White-Allen's death. A representative answering the coroner's office phone on Friday stated that Reid had no comment.

Airmen Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez each pleaded guilty this week to making false official statements connected to Lovan's death on July 20, as stated in the Air Force release.

Badesha received a sentence of 30 days confinement and forfeiture of $1,545, while Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days confinement, 15 days restriction to base, and $500 forfeiture. Both airmen also faced administrative demotions.

The two reported hearing White-Allen's firearm discharge and subsequently seeing Lovan on the ground, according to the statement.

White-Allen allegedly instructed Badesha, "Here's the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk and it went off." White-Allen reportedly told Rodriguez to inform emergency responders that White-Allen's "holster went off," the statement detailed.

Neither airman initially disclosed this information, leading investigators to initially believe that White-Allen's M18 had accidentally discharged, according to the statement.

Other branches of the US military continued utilizing the M18 while Global Strike Command suspended its use. The suspension occurred amid ongoing lawsuits against Sig Sauer alleging that its P320 pistol can discharge without trigger activation.

The New Hampshire-based firearms manufacturer denies these claims, maintaining that the pistol is safe and that issues arise from user error. The company has successfully defended itself in several cases.