Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Private assigned to Nomad Troop, 4th Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 28 April 2020 in Killeen, Texas. The Soldier was with group of Soldiers at a private residence on 26 April 2020 when he picked up a fellow Soldier’s privately owned weapon and accidentally shot himself in the head. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries two days later. The use of alcohol was involved. The incident is being investigated by the local police department.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of four Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This mishap was already the fourth fatal off-duty POW mishap of FY20. Every mishap has telltale signs. Some you only recognize in hindsight, while others you can’t miss. Alcohol, firearms, late at night…when do you draw the line between fun and tragedy?

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A PV2 assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 22 March 2020 in Clarksville, Tennessee, at 1711 local. A Private First Class was showing his newly purchased shotgun to two other Soldiers when one of them pushed the weapon away. A round was accidently discharged, striking the PV2 in the head. Emergency medical services personnel transported the injured Soldier to a local medical center, where he was pronounced dead. Alcohol use is not a suspected causal factor. The mishap is under investigation.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This tragedy was the third fatal off-duty POW mishap of FY20. Proper POW safety and handling is non-negotiable. Whether you’re at the range, hunting, cleaning, transporting or showing your gun to friends, every weapon must be treated as if it is loaded.

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A 19-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a privately owned weapons (POW) mishap 10 January 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 0800 local. The Soldier was reportedly attempting to disassemble a handgun when a discharged round struck him in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner. The mishap is under investigation.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to POW mishaps. This was the second fatal POW mishap of FY20. While the Army is at the same number of POW fatalities for the same time period in FY19, this mishap serves as a stark reminder for leaders to continue to emphasize off-duty weapons safety.

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A Sergeant assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a privately owned weapon mishap 27 October 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 1830 local. The Soldier was struck by a chambered round discharged from a weapon other Soldiers were handling. Alcohol and drug use are unknown at this time. The mishap is under investigation.

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A Soldier died in a privately owned weapon mishap 3 May 2019 in Independence, Kentucky, at 2330 local. The Soldier was handling a .38 Special handgun when he was struck by a chambered round when it accidentally discharged.