Authorities have revealed the identities of the victims and the shooting suspect in the murder-suicide at Quantico Marine Base in Virginia, last Thursday (March 21). Sgt. Eusebio Lopez has been named as the shooter, who killed two colleagues before turning the gun on himself. Lopez, 25, was a native of Pacifica, Calif. and completed tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He worked as an instructor, specializing in machine gunnery.
His victims have been named as 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Sara Castromata of Oakley, Calif., and Cpt. Jacob Wooley, 23, a native of Guntown, Miss. “I’m so confused,” said Wooley’s friend, Tiffany Wood. The two met when they were teens and according to Wood, Wooley had no known disagreements with anyone. “Jacob had no enemies. He was such a sweetheart.”
All three Marines worked together as training personnel at the Officers Candidates School. The shooting took place in the Taylor Hall, late Thursday.
Wooley is believed to have been shot first, followed by Catromata. She joined the Marines in 2011, and was promoted in February.
Over the weekend Lopez’s great grandfather released a statement, expressing disbelief that he could be involved in the tragedy. “He wasn’t the type to do stuff like that,” said the 81-year-old, noting that the family was told that authorities were still investigating the shooting.
No motive has been released, but early reports pointed to a love triangle.
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Photo: AP/Facebook/Clarion Ledger
