CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Justice has blocked the release of the coroner’s report related to the death of a young soldier, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest, after a training incident at Letterkenny Army Depot, according to local officials and media reports.
U.S. Army Spc. Krystofer Lopez, 18, of Biglerville, died March 12 after sustaining injuries during an on-duty training exercise at the Franklin County installation. He was transported to WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, where he later died, officials said.
Details surrounding the incident remain limited. A spokesperson for Letterkenny Army Depot previously said Lopez received immediate medical attention at the scene before being transported to the hospital.
The incident remains under investigation by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division. An Army spokesman has continued to limit information release, saying all accidental deaths would be investigated by the criminal division.
In a statement released shortly after Lopez’s death, Letterkenny Army Depot Commander Col. Caleb Lewis expressed condolences to the soldier’s family and fellow service members.
“The entire Letterkenny family is heartbroken by the loss of Pfc. Krystofer Lopez,” Lewis said. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and fellow Soldiers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Lopez was remembered by his community during a public procession and memorial service held March 28 at Biglerville High School. Community members lined the route to honor the fallen soldier.
U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-13) gathered with the Pennsylvania congressional delegation to pay tribute to the young soldier.
“A solemn afternoon here … as the community gathered to pay tribute to one of their own,” U.S. Army Reserve Commander Robert Prah said at the funeral. “Just truly a show of respect for Krystofer and his family.”
No additional information about the circumstances of the training incident has been released by the Army.
According to Lopez’s obituary, Krystofer was a 2025 graduate of Biglerville High School, where he excelled at wrestling. A dedicated servant to his community and country, he was a volunteer with the Biglerville Fire Company and joined the U.S. Army during his junior year.
He held the rank of Specialist and served as a 31B Military Police Officer for the LEAD Directorate of Emergency Services, Law Enforcement Division and was a Personnel Force Innovation member assigned to the 947th Quartermaster Company.
An avid gamer and motorcycle enthusiast, Lopez loved riding and participating in charity bike runs. He always went above and beyond to help anyone he could, the obituary said, but most importantly, he always put his family first.
He was a true food enthusiast who loved trying new restaurants. Whether he was sitting down for a meal at Chili’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, or Mission Barbecue, he cherished sharing a table with others. However, his most frequent “culinary” stops were more local; he was such a loyal regular at both Wawa and Sheetz that he likely spent more time and money there than anywhere else. Known for having the biggest smile in the room, Lopez always made everyone laugh with his silly jokes.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his siblings: his twin sister, Kiyerra “Kiki” Lopez, Patrick Howe III, Myra Williams, Hector Lopez Jr., Hector Lopez, Carlos Lopez, Heidy Beth Lopez and Arlene Lopez; 21 nieces and nephews; numerous aunts and uncles; and maternal grandparents, Angel Laureano and Sandra Dewitt.
