An airman was reportedly fired at by a colleague using a military-issue M18 pistol at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming in July 2025. Subsequent investigations revealed that personnel present at the time fabricated a story to conceal the actual circumstances of the shooting, an action that briefly led to the temporary suspension of the M18 pistol across all nuclear weapons sites.
Story Highlights
- Airman Brayden Lovan was reportedly involved in an incident with Airman Marcus White-Allen with a loaded Sig Sauer M18 pistol at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, on July 20, 2025.
- White-Allen immediately instructed two witnesses to falsely claim the shooting resulted from an accidental discharge to cover up the circumstances.
- The fabricated story prompted the Air Force Global Strike Command to suspend M18 pistol use at all nuclear weapons sites temporarily.
- Two accomplice airmen, Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez, pleaded guilty to making false statements in October 2025.
- White-Allen was found dead on base in October 2025 before his scheduled trial.
Incident and Initial Deception
On July 20, 2025, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, Airman Marcus White-Allen fatally shot fellow airman Brayden Lovan. Officials stated White-Allen pointed his loaded Sig Sauer M18 pistol at Lovan “in a joking manner” when the weapon discharged. Immediately following the shooting, White-Allen instructed two witnesses, Airmen Sarbjot Badesha and Matthew Rodriguez, to report the incident as an accidental discharge, concealing that the pistol had been intentionally pointed at Lovan.
NEWS: “US nuclear airmen plead guilty to false statements in shooting that suspended Sig Sauer M18 use”
What really happened: an airman pointed the gun at the victim in a “joking manner” before pulling the trigger.
He then got two airman to lie on his behalf blaming the gun.… pic.twitter.com/F72v0avZ3f
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 1, 2025
Impact on Security Protocols
The initial, fabricated account of an accidental discharge triggered a review by Air Force Global Strike Command, leading to the suspension of the M18 pistol’s use at all nuclear weapons sites nationwide in late July 2025. The suspension was lifted in August 2025 after investigators concluded the M18 pistol functioned properly and no equipment malfunction was responsible for the discharge.
Legal Proceedings
White-Allen was arrested in early August 2025 on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and making false statements. On October 8, 2025, White-Allen was found deceased on base. The Laramie County Coroner has not provided public comment regarding the circumstances of his death. Airmen Badesha and Rodriguez pleaded guilty to making false statements on October 30-31, 2025, and received sentences for their role in the cover-up.
‘Here’s the Story’: How an Airman Lied to Cover Up M18 Shootinghttps://t.co/v8sVETJHH1
— Air & Space Forces Magazine (@ASForcesMag) November 1, 2025
Broader Context
The incident and subsequent cover-up highlighted vulnerabilities in the integrity and oversight of personnel serving at nuclear facilities. The case also occurs within the context of ongoing safety concerns surrounding the Sig Sauer M18 and P320 pistol family, which has been the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging unintentional discharges. However, in this specific case, investigators confirmed the weapon was not responsible for the discharge. The Air Force has since resumed M18 use at its nuclear sites after confirming the weapon’s safety.
Watch the report: Did the SIG P320 Just Kill a U.S. Airman Without Anyone Pulling the Trigger?
Sources:
US nuclear airmen plead guilty to false statements in shooting that suspended Sig Sauer M18 use
Airmen covered up details of fatal shooting after ‘joking’ with pistol, Air Force says
Airman’s Wyoming death: Alleged shooter pointed gun in “joking manner,” officials say
Airmen Covered Up Facts of Fatal M18 Shooting
