A 19-year-old female sailor assigned to USS Essex aircraft carrier was found with a gunshot wound aboard the ship Thursday and later died from her injuries, Navy officials confirmed.
According to Navy media operations officer Rick Chernitzer, the ship’s medical personnel responded to the scene and found the wounded sailor.
She was transported to the University of California, San Diego Trauma Center and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Chernitzer said the sailor’s identification is being withheld until her family is notified of her death.
He said a formal investigation is now underway aboard the amphibious assault ship, which is currently at its homeport in San Diego.
It is unclear if the sailor’s wounds were self-inflicted or if any suspects were involved in the shooting.
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