Army Soldier Who Served 9 Months in Iraq Killed by Roommate After They Return to New York Base: Officials
The roommate of a solider who was found dead at Fort Drum base has now been charged with his death, officials said.
Aug. 22 2024, Published 10:01 a.m. ET
A soldier was found dead on the Army base in New York, and now officials say his roommate, also a soldier, has been charged with allegedly killing him.
On Aug. 5, Spc. Jacob Ashton, 21, was found dead on base at Fort Drum in upstate New York, according to the U.S. Army Fort Drum base.
The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division was leading the probe in Ashton’s death and, according to an update from the public affairs office, Spc. Riley Birbilas was arrested and charged with premeditated murder and obstruction of justice in connection with Ashton’s death.
Officials said both men served in Iraq with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Ashton and Birbilas reportedly spent nine months in Iraq and, in April, they returned to the United States. After the move home, the pair became roommates, Syracuse.com reported.
Ashton’s enlistment with the Army was scheduled to end in December. His family told Syracuse.com he wanted to become a police officer or firefighter.
Alaina Ustupski, Ashton’s sister, told WWNY-TV, "He went to Iraq and didn’t have a scratch on him, then comes home, thinks he is safe, and apparently isn’t."
Birbilas was booked into the Oneida County Jail and remains in custody.
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During his time in the Army, Ashton was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with C Device, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Inherent Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge.
In Fort Drum’s statement, Col. Anthony Gore said, "Our entire Commando family feels profound sorrow for the loss of Jacob. While words do little to ease the pain of Jacob’s passing, we are a family, and we will wrap our arms around his family as well as support each other. Let us live in a manner worthy of honoring Jacob’s life and service."
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