MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. - Three Marines assigned to Officer Candidates School were killed in a shooting incident at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2013.
Notification of the next of kin for the deceased Marines has been completed.
Provided below are the names of the casualties:
Lance Cpl. Sara Castromata, 19, of Oakley, Calif., served as a warehouse clerk. She joined the Marine Corps in December 2011, and was promoted to her current rank in February 2013. Castromata's awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. She had not deployed.
Corporal Jacob Wooley, 23, of Guntown, Miss., was a field radio operator. He joined the Marine Corps in February 2010 and was promoted to his current rank in July 2012. Wooley's awards include the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He had not deployed.
Sergeant Eusebio Lopez, 25, of Pacifica, Calif., was a tactics instructor at the school, and his military occupational specialty was machine-gunner. He joined the Marine Corps in May 2006 and was promoted to his current rank in July 2011. Lopez's awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation 3rd award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal 2nd award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon 4th award. He had deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
NCIS has identified Sgt. Lopez as the alleged shooter.
The three Marines were pronounced dead at the scene by law enforcement personnel.
"We send our prayers and condolences to the families, fellow Marines and friends of the Marines who were lost in this tragic incident," said Col. David W. Maxwell, commander, Marine Corps Base Quantico. "Our priority is to take care of and support all of those who are affected by this loss."
The incident remains under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
For information regarding this incident, please contact 1st Lt. Agustin Solivan at agustin.solivan@usmc.mil.