The soldier killed early Sunday playing what Anchorage police say was a game of Russian roulette was a sergeant who served two tours of duty in Iraq, the Army said Tuesday.
While police and prosecutors identified the soldier on Monday, the military held off on providing details until today, 24 hours after the soldier's family was told of the death.
Sgt. Michael M. McCloskey, 26, joined the Army in August 2002. He was from Beverly, N.J. He served at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Fort Bragg, N.C., before arriving in Alaska in March 2010, according to the Army. At the time of his death, he was a construction engineer with the 84th Engineer Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
His second tour in Iraq was completed in November 2009, the Army said. McCloskey graduated from advanced training in leadership, lifesaving and an airborne course.
McCloskey spent the weekend at the Eagle River apartment of a friend, Jacob Brouch. They were drinking and posed for Facebook pictures with Brouch's weapons. They also played Russian roulette, police said.
McCloskey shot himself in the abdomen early Sunday and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Brouch, 25, is in jail, charged with second-degree murder and weapons misconduct. Police say he provided the gun and ammunition, so he is responsible for what happened.
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