Army Alaska identifies soldier who died in barracks shooting

A soldier assigned to U.S. Army Alaska died Oct. 26 from a gunshot wound, officials announced Thursday.

Spc. Mason James Guckavan, 21, was shot in his barracks at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, officials said in a statement.

Special agents from Army Criminal Investigation Command are investigating the incident, but there is no official determination on whether the discharge of the firearm was intentional or accidental, officials said.

Guckavan was an infantryman with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. He joined the Army from Middletown, Pennsylvania, in August 2016.

After completing initial entry training, he was assigned to 1st SBCT, 25th Infantry in December 2016.

“Specialist Guckavan was a key member for the Bobcat Battalion over the past two years. He was a dedicated and loyal soldier, committed to the mission,” said Lt. Col. Sonny Rosales, commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, in a statement. “We are devastated he is no longer with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, our priority right now is to take care of them, ensuring they have all the resources they need during this critical time.”

About Michelle Tan

Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.