A junior sailor on board the attack submarine Missouri died during an overnight watch in a suspected suicide early Monday morning.
The third-class petty officer, whose name is being withheld for privacy concerns, is believed to have died from a gunshot wound from his issued 9mm pistol while standing a quarterdeck watch on Missouri, which is stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, according to an internal memo on the incident obtained by Navy Times.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 in the morning.
A statement from Naval Submarine Support Center New London acknowledged the death, but declined to cite a cause of death citing an ongoing investigation.
"The Navy is aware of the incident involving the death of a Sailor aboard Naval Submarine Base New London in the early morning of February 27th," said Mass Communications Specialist Chief (SW/AW) Steve Owsley. "The incident is currently being investigated. We are saddened by the sudden loss of one of our Shipmates. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Sailor's friends, family and shipmates during this difficult time."
According to Navy data, there have been nine suicides in the fleet this year so far. There were 50 in all of 2016, the data show.
Sailors who are having suicidal thoughts should seek help from their chain of command, command chaplain or can contact the Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, or text them at 838255.
David B. Larter was the naval warfare reporter for Defense News.
