Navy officials released the identity of a sailor shot inside a hangar on Feb. 24 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, after he crashed his vehicle through the base's back gate. He later died from those wounds.
The sailor, Information Systems Technician Seaman Robert Colton Wright, assigned to Oceana-based Strike Fighter Squadron 81, was shot by masters at arms who responded to a distress call at the squadron's hangar, according to information released by the Navy Feb. 26.
The incident apparently began with a hit-and-run incident near the base after which Wright's car was being sought by Virginia Beach Police in connection with the incident, the release said.
"At approximately 10:10 p.m., Wright crashed his vehicle through NAS Oceana's back gate, which was closed, locked and unmanned after normal operating hours," the release said.
"A short time later, base security received a distress call from a petty officer on watch inside hangar 111, home of VFA-81, who reported an individual was yelling and causing damage in squadron hallways."
Base security officials then dispatched base masters at arms to the hangar, where they found Wright's car outside the security perimeter.
"They searched the building and encountered Wright, who refused to show his hands and made aggressive moves toward the MAs," the release said. "One of the MAs fired a single shot, striking Wright."
The release said that the MAs then began first aid, called for an ambulance and continued lifesaving efforts until medical personnel arrived.
A criminal investigation is now underway by Navy Criminal Investigative Service along with a command investigation directed by the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic commander Rear Admiral John C. Scorby Jr.
Wright, whose home of record is listed by the Navy as Colorado, enlisted in the Navy in May 2016.
He graduated from recruit training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, on July 1 and was awarded the Navy Basic Military Honor Graduate Ribbon.
He then trained as an information systems technician at the Navy Information Warfare Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, before reporting to VFA-81 on Dec. 27.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
