An 18-year-old from California has been identified as the Army National Guardsman who died Friday on a rifle range at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Pvt. Andrey Okunev, 18, assigned to Company B, 1stBattalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, was pronounced dead after a midmorning “incident” on the range, according to Army officials.
Base public affairs officials declined to discuss details of the incident, including cause of death. An investigation into the cause of death is underway by the Army Criminal Investigation Division and Fort Leonard Wood law enforcement, they said.
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“We are deeply saddened and truly heartbroken by the loss of Pvt. Okunev, and our deepest condolences and sincerest sympathies are with his family, friends and unit,” Maj. Gen. Chris Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, said in a statement.
“During this difficult time, our chaplains, grief counselors and other medical professionals are providing comfort, care and support to those affected by this tragedy,” Beck added.
According to a GoFundMe set up to help his family, Okunev hailed from Long Beach, California, where he was active in the local American Youth Soccer Organization, serving as a youth referee.
On Instagram, AYSO chapter officials said Okunev “gave time generously to our kids and our community, season after season.”
“His kindness, patience and dedication touched so many lives on and off the field,” they wrote.
He leaves behind parents and three siblings, according to the GoFundMe.
“Andrey will always be remembered for his kindness and great personality. Even though his time was far too short, Andrey made a lasting impact on those around him,” wrote organizer Vladimir Savostianov.
Okunev’s death is the second in a month on a military firing range. In August, Seaman Recruit Kayshawn Wilkerson, 18, died in an incident on a range at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois.
An autopsy determined that Wilkerson’s death was “consistent with [a] self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
Wilkerson enlisted in the Navy on June 23 and was attending boot camp at the time of his death. He graduated with honors on May 30 from Forest High School in Ocala, Florida.
At least three other soldiers died earlier this year in the initial phases of their training.
Pvt. Gabriel Perez, of Anchorage, Alaska, was found dead in April during training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Pennsylvania Army National Guard Spc. Ruben Noel Rodriguez died Jan. 16 while receiving medical treatment during basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and 20-year-old Pfc. McCallaster Foley, of Alden, Iowa, died Jan. 8 as a result of a “non-training incident” at what is now Fort Benning, Georgia.
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