CHEYENNE, Wyo. — What began as a reckless joke inside a security unit guarding U.S. nuclear weapons turned into a months-long investigation, false official statements, and the eventual death of the airman responsible. Details of the fatal July shooting at F.E. Warren Air Force Base — once believed to be an accidental gun malfunction — only came to light this week during court proceedings in Wyoming.
July 20, 2025 — The Fatal Shooting
Airman Brayden Tyriq Lovan, 21, a Remote Targeting Engagement System Operator assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron, was killed while on duty at F.E. Warren AFB.
According to new testimony revealed during court-martial proceedings this week, fellow airman Marcus Tyione White-Allen drew his Sig Sauer M18 service pistol and pointed it at Lovan’s chest “in a joking manner.” His finger was on the trigger when the weapon fired, striking Lovan in the chest and killing him instantly.
Two other airmen — Airmen 1st Class Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez — witnessed the incident. Immediately after the shooting, White-Allen allegedly turned to them and said, “Here’s the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk and it went off.”
He also told Rodriguez to claim the “holster went off,” according to testimony.
Both complied, giving false statements that led investigators to initially believe the M18 had accidentally discharged — a possibility consistent with ongoing lawsuits alleging the same model of Sig Sauer pistol could fire without the trigger being pulled.
Late July–August 2025 — Air Force Suspends Use of the M18
In the wake of Lovan’s death, the Air Force Global Strike Command suspended the use of the M18 pistol across all of its nuclear weapons bases, including F.E. Warren, Barksdale, and Minot.
For roughly one month, Security Forces personnel guarding nuclear missile fields were temporarily issued M4 rifles as sidearms were collected and inspected.
By late August 2025, the Air Force lifted the suspension after testing more than 7,900 M18 pistols and determining there were no mechanical defects in the weapon involved in Lovan’s death.
At that point, the narrative shifted from a possible equipment malfunction to potential negligence and cover-up.
August 2025 — Arrest and Charges
By mid-August, investigators from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) identified White-Allen as a suspect. He was arrested and accused of involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and making a false official statement.
A Department of the Air Force spokesperson confirmed to The Salty Soldier at the time that the case remained under investigation and that the Air Force was cooperating with Sig Sauer’s technical experts to review the pistol’s design and handling.
October 8, 2025 — The Suspect’s Death
Before the case could reach trial, White-Allen was found dead on base at approximately 8 a.m. on October 8, 2025.
He was 21 years old.
The Air Force has not released his cause of death, stating the matter remains under investigation. The Laramie County Coroner has also declined comment.
White-Allen’s death marked the fourth fatality among F.E. Warren airmen since late summer, following separate incidents including a murder-suicide in Fort Collins and another involuntary manslaughter case involving an off-duty shooting with an AK-47–style rifle.
October 31, 2025 — Trial and New Details Revealed
During courts-martial proceedings held October 30–31, 2025, Airmen Badesha and Rodriguez each pleaded guilty to making false official statements related to the July 20 shooting.
The proceedings, held at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, revealed for the first time the full circumstances of Lovan’s death — including White-Allen’s actions, his orders to fabricate the story, and confirmation that he had his finger on the trigger when he pointed the M18 at Lovan’s chest.
- Airman Sarbjot Badesha was sentenced to 30 days confinement, reduction to E-1, and forfeiture of $1,545.
- Airman Matthew Rodriguez received 10 days confinement, 15 days base restriction, reduction to E-2, and forfeiture of $500.
In its statement following the trial, the 90th Missile Wing said the false statements “hindered law enforcement efforts,” delaying accountability and leading investigators to initially believe the death was caused by an accidental discharge.
Col. Terrance Holmes, 90th Missile Wing commander, said the unit remains committed to full transparency and support for those affected:
“We are fully dedicated to supporting the families and individuals affected by these tragic events. Our focus is on ensuring justice is served and that every aspect of this case is thoroughly examined.”
Aftermath
White-Allen — known by family and friends as “Lil Polo” — was remembered in an obituary shared by his parents, Marcus and Tyesha Allen, as “a man of few words whose compassion, dedication, and respect for others spoke volumes.”
Lovan, from Greenville, Kentucky, had been on his first active-duty assignment and was known by his peers as a capable, motivated young defender.
Their deaths, separated by less than three months, underscore the heavy toll of reckless behavior, delayed truth, and the pressures within a nuclear security force that has endured an unprecedented series of losses in 2025.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations continues to review both the July 20 shooting and White-Allen’s death.
While the M18 pistol was cleared of blame, the case stands as a stark reminder that even inside the most disciplined commands, lapses in judgment and integrity can have devastating consequences.
As Col. Jeremy Sheppard, commander of the 90th Security Forces Group, told airmen earlier this month:
“If your intentions are pure, I will always have your back. For those not doing the right thing every day — this might not be the right place for you.”
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