Airmen Plead Guilty in Wyoming Shooting Case
Overview of the Incident
Two airmen at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming have pleaded guilty to making false statements concerning the shooting death of their colleague, Brayden Lovan. The incident, which occurred on July 20, 2025, led to a temporary suspension of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol’s use at nuclear weapons sites by the Air Force Global Strike Command for start month.
Details of the Shooting
Brayden Lovan, a 21-year-old airman with the 90th Security Forces Squadron, died following a shooting incident in which fellow airman Marcus White-Allen allegedly pointed a gun at Lovan’s chest in what was described as a “joking manner.” After the shooting, White-Allen reportedly encouraged two other airmen, Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez, to provide misleading accounts of the events.
White-Allen, who had been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making a false statement, was found dead on base on October 8, 2025. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation, and details have not been made public.
Plea Agreements and Sentences
Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez pleaded guilty to making false official statements related to Lovan’s death. Badesha received a sentence of 30 days in confinement along with a forfeiture of $1,545, while Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days in confinement, 15 days of restriction to base, and forfeiture of $500. Both airmen also faced administrative demotions.
According to Air Force statements, both men heard the gun discharge and subsequently saw Lovan on the ground. White-Allen allegedly fabricated a story, instructing Badesha to claim that he had slammed his duty belt on the desk, causing the gun to fire, and urged Rodriguez to insist that his holster had discharged on its own. This misinformation initially misled investigators, who believed the incident might have been an accidental discharge.
Impact on Military Policy
The Air Force suspended the use of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol while investigating the incident, even as other branches of the military continued its use. This suspension was compounded by ongoing lawsuits against Sig Sauer, claiming that its P320 pistol could discharge without the trigger being pulled-an allegation the company denies, attributing such incidents to user error. Sig Sauer has successfully defended itself in some cases.
Related Incidents
Around the same time as Lovan’s death, another tragic incident involving an airman occurred when Airman First Class Jadan Orr allegedly shot a man in a Cheyenne apartment. After reportedly consuming alcohol with friends, Orr mishandled an AK-47, causing a fatal injury to a 23-year-old victim. This incident further raises concerns about firearm safety and usage among airmen at the base.
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