CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The unidentified airman found dead in his dormitory at F.E. Warren Air Force Base on Oct. 8 was the same man accused of fatally shooting a fellow security forces member three months earlier, the 90th Missile Wing revealed this week.
Two other airmen admitted in separate courts-martial that they helped cover up what really happened.
False Statements Sent the Investigation Down the Wrong Path
Airman 1st Class Sarbjot Badesha and A1C Matthew Rodriguez each pleaded guilty Oct. 30 and 31 to making false official statements related to the July 20 death of Airman Brayden Lovan, according to a 90th Missile Wing announcement released Thursday. Their guilty pleas revealed that A1C Marcus White-Allen pulled his duty weapon and pointed it at Lovan's chest as a joke before the gun fired.
Both witnesses admitted seeing White-Allen draw his M18 pistol from its holster and aim it at Lovan. They heard the weapon discharge and watched Lovan collapse.
Then White-Allen told them what to say.
According to the wing's statement, White-Allen told Badesha immediately after the shooting: “Here's the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk, and it went off.”
White-Allen gave Rodriguez different instructions, telling him to report to emergency personnel that the holster went off.
Neither airman told investigators the truth during their initial witness interviews on July 20. Their false statements sent the investigation down the wrong path, leading authorities to initially suspect Lovan died from an accidental discharge of White-Allen's M18.
That possibility triggered Air Force Global Strike Command to temporarily suspend use of the M18 pistol and order safety inspections across the service.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations later gathered evidence showing White-Allen had his finger on the trigger as he placed the weapon on Lovan's chest. Laboratory testing found no defects in White-Allen's duty-issued M18.
Authorities arrested an airman in early August in connection with Lovan's death, charging him with involuntary manslaughter, making a false official statement, and obstruction of justice. The Air Force did not identify that suspect at the time.
White-Allen was discovered dead in his dormitory room on Oct. 8, prompting the Air Force to suspend legal proceedings against him. The investigation into his death remains open.
Four Deaths in Four Months at Wyoming Nuclear Base
The court-martial proceedings connect two of the four deaths tied to F.E. Warren personnel since July — a string of violent incidents that has shaken the 90th Security Forces Group.
On Aug. 16, Senior Airman Joshua Aragon was shot and killed in a Cheyenne apartment when A1C Jadan Orr fired an AK-47 through a bedroom wall, striking Aragon in an adjacent room. Orr faces involuntary manslaughter charges and has pleaded not guilty.
On Sept. 30, A1C Marcus E. Jackson was found dead at an off-base residence in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Larimer County coroner ruled the case a murder-suicide after determining Jackson shot and killed 18-year-old Alyssa Reardon before taking his own life.
The 90th Security Forces Group held a series of all-call meetings with its 1,400 personnel following White-Allen's death, addressing the recent incidents while emphasizing accountability and professionalism.
Badesha was sentenced to 30 days in confinement, reduction to E-1, and forfeiture of $1,545. Rodriguez received 10 days confinement, 15 days restriction to base, reduction to E-2, and forfeiture of $500.
“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.”
