Airman arrested in fatal shooting that led Global Strike Command to pause using Sig Sauer's M18s
The weapon has been the subject of lawsuits in which plaintiffs allege the gun is susceptible to firing without the trigger being pulled.
The unidentified airman was arrested on suspicion of making a false official statement, obstruction of justice and involuntary manslaughter, the Air Force said in a statement Tuesday.
The statement did not say when the airman was arrested or detail his or her suspected role in the death of Brayden Lovan, 21, of the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base outside Cheyenne on July 20.
As of Tuesday, the Air Force had not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the shooting, saying it remained under investigation. Military law does not allow a suspect to be publicly identified before charges are referred for court martial.
Lovan died less than two years into his Air Force career. He began his first active-duty assignment at F.E. Warren in November 2023.
The base oversees 150 Minuteman III ICBMs in silos scattered across southeastern Wyoming, northeastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska.
While the involuntary manslaughter charge hinted at human culpability, the M18 suspension by Global Strike Command remained in effect Tuesday. Security Forces airmen have been ordered to inspect the guns to 'identify any immediate safety concerns.'
Security Forces airmen have been armed with M4 rifles during the M18 pause to ensure no lapse in security, according to the Air Force.
The M18 is made by New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer, which is defending itself against multiple lawsuits alleging that its popular related gun, the P320 pistol, can go off without the trigger being pulled.
Sig Sauer denies the claims, saying the P320 is safe and the problem is user error. It has prevailed in some cases. An email message seeking comment from Sig Sauer on the Air Force arrest was sent Tuesday.
The M18 is the official sidearm of all branches of the U.S. military, according to Sig Sauer. So far, only Global Strike Command — which oversees the Air Force's bombers and ICBMs — has paused its use.
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Trump news at a glance: Trump claims ‘great progress' in Putin talks, DC police takeover scaled back
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Scott Wolf FINALLY breaks silence on estranged wife Kelley making disturbing allegations
Scott Wolf has released an astonishing statement alleging that his estranged wife Kelley plotted to falsely accuse him of abuse. Kelley announced her split from Scott on June 10, and three days later she was detained by police and taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. When the cops apprehended her on June 13 - in an incident she inadvertently captured on Instagram Live - she sensationally alleged Scott had been 'abusing me.' On July 25 Scott filed for a temporary restraining order against Kelley that was granted, although it was later dissolved after the former couple arrived at an agreement on various subjects including visitation of their three children, of whom Scott currently has sole custody. Now Scott has claimed Kelley texted him about her plans to 'make claims' against him 'such as psychological abuse, child abuse, child endangerment, stealing with passports,' according to People magazine. He provided alleged text messages from Kelley in which she discussed being 'advised to make claims that are possible, even though I do not believe they're true nor would I ever say them to anyone,' and in which she explained that she hoped to 'create more urgency to get the kids back. Or at least get back joint custody.' Daily Mail has contacted Scott's representatives and Kelley for further comment. Scott said in his statement that his 'continued hope is to have this most difficult chapter of our family's lives remain as private as possible, however, the well being of my children is at stake, and that will always be my priority.' He added: 'There are some significant challenges that are making our situation incredibly difficult and contentious, and it is tragic for all involved. I was informed of some deeply disturbing and entirely false allegations that were made about me by my estranged wife.' Kelley's apparent text messages to Scott, in which she allegedly referred to allegations 'such as psychological abuse, child abuse, child endangerment, stealing with passports,' have been seen by People magazine. So has a 911 call she made in which she repeated a number of these accusations to the authorities on July 26, one day after Scott requested his restraining order. In his new statement, Scott said: 'I am now choosing to come forward and share that she has described to me her plans to "make claims" about me, although she also admitted, "I do not believe they're true," in order to gain an advantage in what she sees as a "battle" in court, and in the court of public opinion.' He added: 'In order to protect my kids, I am providing the text messages she sent to me where she describes this plan, so there are no questions about her intentions, or the malicious intent behind her false allegations made and/or planned for the future.' Scott continued: 'Although her claims are completely baseless and incredibly dangerous, the worst part is that they are traumatic for our children.' He concluded: 'I hope that anyone who might speak publicly or report on such things, will consider this before spreading any further information from a clearly unreliable and completely compromised source. I continue to ask for privacy and respect for our family, and give thanks all those who have shown their love and support.' The purported texts provided by Scott appear to show Kelley explaining that she had been 'advised to make claims that are possible, even though I do not believe they're true nor would I ever say them to anyone.' She is said to have argued that 'when you accused me of all the things you put in the restraining order, you made me into a villain. The only way I can fight back is to produce claims that are either the same as yours or greater.' Kelley also supposedly texted Scott that her aim was to 'create more urgency to get the kids back. Or at least get back joint custody.' When she was asked for comment on Scott's new statement, Kelley responded: 'I will be very clear when I say this: I don't believe that Scott would [abuse our children].' She said further: 'I've lost my career, my reputation, my children, my integrity, my honor, my devotion to my marriage. As a parent, I have literally lost everything except my life. I've done everything strategic, and I'm hopeful for my children.' The statement comes weeks after Kelley shared a lengthy video of her unsuccessfully attempting to retrieve her items from the family home. The footage sparked a reaction from Scott and Kelley's teenage son Jackson, who commented on the post: 'This is insane mom what are you doing.' Police officers were present to escort Kelley around the property, and even watched her as she unsuccessfully attempt to enter the home through two different windows, one of them being Jackson's bedroom window. While she was able to access the garage, she was unable to enter the property. But her son Jackson seemed concerned, writing in the comments: 'This is insane mom what are you doing' It's not entirely clear if any of the family were at home, though at one point Kelley mused 'it seems like they're here.' Kelley also made multiple attempts to call her ex but he did not pick up and officers were also unable to reach Scott. The video began with Kelley en route to the residence in her car as she claimed she now only had $6 to her name and had been sleeping in her vehicle. 'I am under the impression that I have done everything humanly possible to retrieve some basic items from my home,' she said, claiming she had been sleeping in her car as the Sundance Mountain Resort had 'banned' her. 'I'm currently about to meet up with a deputy,' she said, adding they were going to 'escort me into my home so I can get some money that I have saved because I now have only $6 to my name, however I have options. 'My family has supported my legal fees, I can say thank you to quite a few people for being very kind to not only take care of me but to respect the fact that woman should never be treated the way I'm being treated.' She also claimed she has been dating someone that she likes 'a lot.' 'I have just had enough,' she said. 'I'm sick of sleeping in my car, I'm sick of being treated like I'm crazy.' Once she arrived to the house, she asked the police to remain and claimed her husband told her she was not allowed to be at the house. 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In a statement about Kelley's visit with People, police said 'it appeared that the locks on the house had been changed.' Officials said that Kelley 'made some phone calls to family, had some conversations with family [but] still wasn't able to gain access into the house and ultimately left.' 'We didn't have any contact with anyone [who might have been at the residence]. But we were never inside either,' a spokesperson said. 'We wouldn't know definitively, but we have no reason to believe that there was anyone there.' They added of Kelley, whose ex did have a temporary restraining order against her that has since been dropped: 'The complainant did mention that there was a court order in place. As a standard procedure in these types of cases, our deputy did search for any types of orders that would bar or prohibit the complainant from being at the residence, and they were unable to locate any existing orders.' On June 10, it was revealed that the Party Of Five actor had filed for divorce from Kelley after 21 years of marriage and welcoming three children together. However only days later, Kelley was detained by police, which had been accidentally caught on camera, and taken to a Utah hospital for a mental health evaluation. She later claimed that she was placed under an involuntary mental health hold 'again' by police earlier this month. On June 25, Scott requested for a temporary restraining order against the mom-of-three which he was granted. But in a major turn of events, the TRO was dropped after it was dissolved by a Utah judge due to an agreement Scott and Kelley reached, according to court documents obtained by People. The agreement was made in July - and contains a number of terms revolving around visitation, communication as well as finances. Scott has also been granted sole custody of their three kids: Jackson, 16, Miller, 12, and Lucy, 11. Per the agreement that had been reached, Kelley will be allowed to have 'liberal' supervised time with her children. This includes supervised time with her kids in person that has been worked out ahead of time by counsel. She is also allowed to have either three phone or video calls with her children - also supervised. If any of her kids reach out to her first, Kelley has been given permission to also respond. Both Scott and Kelley cannot discuss certain topics in front of their children, including adult issues, divorce and their kids' relationship with either parent. The estranged couple also are not permitted to ask their kids what goes on at the other parent's place of residence. A gag order has also been put in place for both parties which prohibits either Scott or Kelley from posting and commenting about each other on social media. They also cannot talk about their children, divorce or marriage, and any third party is further prohibited from making posts/comments regarding the above topics. The end goal over a certain period time would be for Kelley to return to having unsupervised time with her three children. When Scott's TRO was first granted, Judge Richard Mrazi said that Kelley, 'has been engaged in an escalating pattern of behavior that poses a substantial threat of immediate and irreparable harm to the party's minor children,' per Today. The judge also said that Scott's estranged wife has made 'threats to remove the party's minor children from the country.' The actor was to remain at their Park City, Utah residence with their children - while Kelley would only be allowed to enter the property during supervised time with her kids. Scott will also have full control of marital funds, with Kelley receiving $10,000 each month to cover living costs. He will also cover her other monthly bills such as car and credit card payments, as well as some attorney fees. The TRO came after Kelley claimed she was placed under an involuntary mental health hold 'again' by police - who she alleges abused her in custody. Kelley took to Instagram in July to level curious claims against the Summit County Police Department - alleging she had been 'thrown down the stairs' by cops while on a seven day 'involuntary hold' - after being 'taken' from Sundance. However, Summit County Police Department confirmed to Daily Mail that they were not involved in any response to Sundance Resort on July 6 - as Sundance is not located in Summit County. Sharing a photo of her bruised arm, Kelley alleged: 'I was held for 7 days and they tried to keep me for 90. I will not be quiet anymore. I cannot be quiet anymore.' She claimed of her injuries: 'This is from the police. I will get myself safe but I'm asking for help. Thrown down stairs. Broke my wrist, Contusions on my head. I'm bruised everywhere and I literally was released last night. This is the SECOND time. 'Summit county police took me from Sundance on July 6. I was in a hot tub. Placed me on an involuntary hold at Summit county Behavioral health. The truth must be told.' A further post saw Kelley say: 'I love my kids. I'm not crazy. I need help. And I want my kids back. That's all for now.' A Summit County Police Department spokesman said in a statement they are 'aware of several photographs and social media posts circulating that inaccurately claim "Summit County Police" responded to an incident at Sundance (Resort) on July 6, including allegations of a confrontation involving Summit County law enforcement. 'Sundance Resort is not located within Summit County, and therefore, no law enforcement agency from Summit County, including the Summit County Sheriff's Office, would be involved in incidents occurring there. 'I can confirm that the Summit County Sheriff's Office was not involved in any response to Sundance on July 6.'
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Sam Rimmer: Mum's plea to find e-bike riders who shot dead son in Liverpool three years ago
The mother of a man shot dead by attackers on electric bikes three years ago has appealed for help finding his killers. Sam Rimmer was shot in the back on 16 August 2022 when the bikes rode into Lavrock Bank in Liverpool and fired at him and his friends. The 22-year-old was injured and died a short while later in hospital. Ten people have been arrested since then but no charges have followed. Sam's mum, Joanne, said the last three years have been "agonising" and "the passing of time has not eased the pain". "People say to cherish the memories, but when I think of Sam, the memory I have is of his body in the morgue, staring at his chest, willing him to breathe. No parent should ever have to identify their child's body," she said. Joanne pleaded: "If you know something and you are reading this, please, please speak up. "No one will ever know as it will be completely anonymous. Sam was shot in his back. He was turned away from his killers. This image haunts me. In his final moments, was he scared? Was he in pain?" Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, from Merseyside Police, said they "just need the final piece of the puzzle". "We know that there are people out there who live in the Dingle/Toxteth area who know who is responsible and my appeal is for those people to come forward and tell us what they know," he urged. "Do you know who was riding on the bikes that arrived in Lavrock Bank that night? Do you know where they went afterwards or where they are being stored?" He said any information would be handled carefully and "extensive measures" put in place to protect anyone who comes forward. Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the area at the time, or has any other information is urged to contact Merseyside Police on their public portal. They can also be reached on @MerPolCC on X, or information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
