Mark N. Boterf, a 21-year-old male from Crowley, Texas, died on April 8, 2014, while on sentry duty at Camp Lejeune's Main Gate in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was assigned to the 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group aboard Camp Lejeune. Boterf received a single gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune.
The incident occurred when Lance Cpl. Brandon Little, another Marine on duty, accidentally discharged his M4 rifle. Little, who was directing traffic at the time, walked back to the guard shack without verifying if his weapon was on safe or semi mode. As he unslung his rifle, it went off, and the bullet struck Boterf in the chest. Little immediately tried to apply pressure to Boterf's wound, but Boterf was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later.
Following the incident, Little was charged with involuntary manslaughter due to culpable negligence, negligent homicide, and dereliction of duty. During the court-martial hearing, Little pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to two years in military prison, a dishonorable discharge from the Marine Corps, forfeiture of all pay, and a reduction of rank to E-1. The original sentence was three years, but the last 12 months were suspended due to a pretrial agreement. Little expressed deep remorse for the incident, stating that he felt he had failed everyone, but found some solace in meeting Boterf's family, who encouraged him to keep pushing forward.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service conducted a comprehensive investigation into the incident, and Marine officials quickly announced that the shooting appeared to be the result of a negligent discharge. Boterf had volunteered for gate sentry duty so another Marine could take time off to get married. The tragic incident highlighted the importance of weapon safety and the devastating consequences of negligence in handling firearms.
