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Lejeune Marine charged with murder

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina-based Marine was charged with murder Thursday after allegedly shooting his roommate a day earlier.

Pvt. Michael Everett Smith, 21, remains in Onslow County jail with no bond. A member of Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, Smith allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun at Bryan Joshua Thorkelson, a civilian, and the weapon discharged, firing a bullet into Thorkelson’s head, according to a Jacksonville police news release.

Thorkelson, 19, was transported to Onlsow Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Investigators say Smith, Thorkelson and several friends were in the kitchen of their Jacksonville home when Thorkelson began showing off a handgun. The weapon was passed around and eventually taken by Smith, police say.

Smith, an automotive organizational mechanic, was busted from lance corporal to private in February, according to a division spokesman. Details about the rank reduction are not available.

Jacksonville police Capt. David Teeter said authorities are not releasing additional details about the shooting pending an investigation.