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A 19-year-old coast guard was arrested and charged with the murder of another sailor in Alaska last January, the Coast Guard said Thursday.
Marine Seaman Ethan Tucker of Ludington, Michigan, has been charged with several violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), including murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, mutilation, and Interfering with justice, false official statement and non-compliance regulation, said the Coast Guard's public affairs in the Pacific region.
Tucker was indicted on Wednesday after the affiliate conducted a seven-month investigation into the death of 19-year-old sailor Ethan Kelch, found unresponsive on 27 January on the shores of the island. Amaknak. Kelch, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was reportedly shot in the head before being left for dead in the water, according to Tucker's charge document.
The responders practiced CPR, but Kelch was pronounced dead at a nearby clinic.
Tucker was reported to have injured his hand by striking a metal wall after learning of Kelch's death, according to the indictment.
The two sailors had been assigned to the Coast Guard's Munro cutter, which had been moored in Dutch Harbor for repair.
Coast Guard cutters, including Douglas Munro (WHEC 724), seated in Kodiak, Alaska, last May. (Photo of the US Coast Guard by the Jacob Marx flag, file)
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Coast Guard senior officer NyxoLyno Cangemi told the Associated Press that the sailors were working together on various jobs while serving in the Munro.
"As the two sailors were aboard the ship, they would have a lot of interactions with each other in the performance of their duties," Cangemi said.
Tucker was transferred to the Coast Guard base in Alameda, Calif., In June, following the launch of the investigation, said Cangemi, before being assigned to the security division.
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"He was under investigation at that time, but working in the security division allowed him to benefit from proper supervision by the security of the base," said Cangemi. .
If he is found guilty, Tucker could be sentenced to life imprisonment, a disgraceful resignation from the army and the loss of his pay and allowances.
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Tucker was detained at the Miramar Consolidated Marine Brigade in San Diego, where he is waiting for an Article 32 hearing to determine if there will be a court martial.
"Since the untimely death of our shipmate, we are in touch with his family to provide as much support as possible throughout this tragic and difficult time," said Cdr Stephen Brickey in a statement. The strong desire of the Coast Guard to gather all the facts and to obtain justice. "
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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