Camp Lejeune Marine Gate Guard Dies from Gunshot Wound

Update from Stars and Stripes, “Marine officials said the shooting was likely due to a negligent discharge on the part of the suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified by investigators since the investigation is still ongoing. According to Joe Kennedy, special agent-in-charge for the Naval Criminal Investigation Service Carolina Field Office, his agency is working with the Legal Service Support Section on Camp Lejeune on drawing up charges against the Marine. Kennedy said no official charges have been filed but that they are “forthcoming” against the Marine. Kennedy said there is no time table on when the charges will be filed.”

Lance Cpl. Mark N. Boterf, 21, of Crowley, Texas, died April 8 after receiving a single gunshot wound to the chest while on sentry duty at Camp Lejeune’s Main Gate. He was assigned to 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group aboard Camp Lejeune. He was temporarily assigned to Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune as a Marine sentry.

Born on December 18, 1992, Boterf joined the Marine Corps in August 2012. He joined 2nd Radio Battalion in 2013, served as a Special Intelligence System Communicator (MOS 2651) and was promoted his current rank on October 1, 2013.

His awards include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Lance Cpl. Boterf has no deployment history.

LCpl Mark Boterf has a twin brother named Mike who is also a Marine as reported by a Mississippi newspaper.

Mike Boterf told the Daily Journal his brother was stationed with the Second Radio Battalion at Camp Lejeune and not long after told friends and family he was getting temporary orders to the Provost Marshal’s Office, the on-base police. 

“But the true story was that he volunteered to take the position so another Marine could take leave to get married,” Boterf said. “That’s the kind of guy he was.”

Boterf said that is why his brother was working as a gate guard…

Boterf said he and his family are thankful for all the condolences and prayers. “Just remember that Mark was a great guy,” he said. “A better man than me. And, we’ll all really miss him.”

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A Marine sentry was killed at 5:30pm by an M4 Carbine rifle while standing guard at Lejeune’s front gate by another Marine also standing guard. No motive is known at this point in time according to Nat Fahy, the public affairs officer for MCI East and the shooting remains under investigation.

Update: Marine Corps officials believe that the death was due to a negligent discharge.

The Base Provost Marshal has stated “the incident is being considered neither as an act of terrorism nor an active shooter event at this time. The incident is currently under investigation by Naval Criminal Investigative Service.”

Neither the victim nor the shooter have been publicly identified at this point. According to the JD News,

“Fahy would not discuss weapons handling procedures due to anti-terrorism and force protection regulations. However, an active duty Marine currently assigned to the military police detachment responsible for providing security at the base’s gates said it appears that weapons procedures had been violated.

“In order for this to have happened, every weapons safety rule and the required weapons condition must have been violated,” said the Marine, who requested anonymity since he is not permitted to speak to the media.

Marines, he said, are taught five safety rules regarding weapons handling: treat every weapon as if it were loaded; never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot; keep fingers straight and off the trigger unless about to fire; keep the safety on unless about to fire; and know the target and what lies beyond.”