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Airman Arrested on Manslaughter, Obstruction Charges After Fatal M18 Pistol Discharge

The arrested service member faces involuntary manslaughter, obstruction and false statement charges with the M18 pistol still grounded pending safety review.

This May 24, 2018, file photo shows the entrance to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
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Overview

  • The Air Force charged an unidentified airman with involuntary manslaughter, false official statement and obstruction of justice in connection with the July 20 shooting death of Airman Brayden Lovan, emphasizing the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
  • Lovan, 21, was a remote targeting engagement system operator in the 90th Security Forces Group at F.E. Warren Air Force Base and was fatally wounded by a Sig Sauer M18 pistol.
  • Air Force Global Strike Command suspended all M18 pistol use service-wide and conducted 100% safety inspections of its P320-derived handguns following Lovan’s death.
  • The Air Force Office of Special Investigations continues a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances of the discharge at F.E. Warren AFB.
  • The M18 and its sibling M17, both based on Sig Sauer’s P320 platform, are under increased scrutiny over alleged unintended discharges even as Sig Sauer maintains its pistols cannot fire without a trigger pull.