Two men were found dead at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Wednesday, December 2.
They are Army Master Sergeant William J. Lavigne II, 37 and Army veteran Timothy Dumas, 44.
The Army is saying very little about the deaths.
Here’s what we know so far.
1. Deaths Are Not Connected To Any Official Training.
The Army said the deaths did not result from a training exercise.
Lavigne joined the Army in 2001 and participated in several special forces deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dumas lived in nearby Pinehurst, North Carolina at the time of his death.
When on active duty, he was stationed at Fort Bragg.
The two men’s bodies were found in a remote part of the Fort Bragg training area.
According to the Washington Post, one body was found in a car.
2. Army Press Release Did Not Identify Dumas, Listed Lavigne’s Accomplishments.
The press release told us everything about Lavigne except what caused his death.
Here is an excerpt describing his service awards.
“Lavigne’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with V device; Bronze Star Medal (second award); Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (second award); Army Achievement Medal (third award); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal (fifth award); National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two campaign stars); Iraq Campaign Medal; Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (third award); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Army Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantry Badge; Combat Action Badge; Basic Parachutist Badge and the Master Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge.”
The Army’s press release concludes by saying:
“The investigation by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.”
3. Foul Play Is Suspected.
There are indications that the men were involved in criminal activity, a source revealed to the Washington Post.
Foul play suspected in deaths of two men found at Fort Bragg https://t.co/zTRGeay9Ku pic.twitter.com/ekG8k24hBX
— New York Post (@nypost) December 4, 2020
If other people had been at the scene is yet to be determined.
Lavigne had been involved in another incident off post at Fort Bragg.
He previously was investigated in the 2018 death of Sgt. 1st Class Mark Leshikar, 33.
Green Beret, Sgt 1st Class Mark Leshikar, 33, was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound. RIP Brother
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Full Story and Credits:https://t.co/7zJMSFPLoO
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*#military #police #militarymemes #followforfollow #themilitarymonkey #news #latestnews https://t.co/ZBsKAOB5pF pic.twitter.com/mNJmgE0aiK— The Military Monkey (@MilitaryMonkey_) March 24, 2018
An investigation into the incident found that Lavigne locked Leshikar out of the house, but a physical altercation ensued that ended up with the shooting.
Leshikar’s sister Nicole Rick said the two men were friends.
Though Lavigne claimed Leshikar had a screwdriver, nothing was found at the scene and “no real investigation was ever held.”
Justifiable homicide was how the sheriff’s report classified the death.
Facts About Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is one of the most heavily populated military bases in the USA with 54,000 military personnel and 14,000 civilians working onsite.
So far in 2020, 30 soldiers working at Fort Bragg have died with half of those deaths being ruled suicides.
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