A soldier from San Diego County who died on deployment was murdered by a fellow comrade, according to the U.S. Army.
Specialist Adrian Perkins, 19, of Pine Valley was killed on a U.S. military base in Amman, Jordan in May. Pentagon officials initially said Perkins died in a “non-combat related” shooting.
But on Tuesday, the Army said Specialist Jeffrey Page of Perrysburg, Ohio has been charged with three counts of murder, one count of manslaughter, one count of negligent homicide and one count of failure to obey an order in Perkins’ death.
The Denver Post reported that Page shot Perkins with an M4 rifle on May 15, citing military documents. Perkins later died at the hospital. The military documents did not give a motive for the shooting, according to the newspaper.
Both men were stationed at Fort Carson, located outside Colorado Springs. They were assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday at Fort Carson to determine if there is enough evidence for a court-martial.
If convicted of murder, Page could be sentenced to life in prison with parole and a dishonorable discharge.
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Page and his attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press made through Fort Carson officials.
Perkins joined the Army in August of 2012 shortly after graduating from Mountain Empire High School. His death shook the small Pine Valley community, where family and friends remembered the young man as determined and a protective big brother.
"It's just sad," said family friend Lyola Adams. "If this guy is guilty, he needs to go to the brig. He needs to do his time. He took a life. The kid's already given his life to go over there and fight for our country."
