FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — A Carlisle man will plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old soldier during firearms training at Letterkenny Army Depot, according to federal prosecutors.
Sean Stark, 38, was charged by criminal information with involuntary manslaughter in the March 12 death of Pfc. Krystofer Lopez of Biglerville, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced.
Stark is expected to waive his right to indictment by a federal grand jury and enter a guilty plea under an agreement with prosecutors.
Charges against Stark, however, do not mark the end of the story for the Lopez family of nearby Biglerville. The 18-year-old soldier’s mother, Carmen, said today she still wants to know more detail about the incident and its aftermath. Her family, she said, “will never be the same.”
She noted since Krystofer was a soldier, the family cannot sue, noting, “We don’t want money, but we need answers.” And she said she wants to see changes in the Letterkenny training protocol.
Todd Wivell, chief of public affairs at Letterkenny, said, “Letterkenny Army Depot is deeply committed to the safety of our workforce, and we continue to follow all Army safety and protocol guidelines in all that we do.”
The young soldier’s mother also said she is hoping Stark receives the harshest possible punishment. She is encouraging friends and relatives to write letters of support for the young man, who graduated from Biglerville High School a year ago.
There he excelled at wrestling. 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, his 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.
Court records allege Stark was conducting firearms training at the depot when he acted in a grossly negligent manner and with reckless disregard for human life. The filing alleges Stark knew his actions posed a threat to others and could reasonably have foreseen the danger they created.
Lopez, who was 18 when he died, was later promoted posthumously to specialist. He served as a 31B military police officer with the Letterkenny Army Depot Directorate of Emergency Services Law Enforcement Division. Family members said he hoped to work in law enforcement after the Army.
“The circumstances surrounding Mr. Lopez’s death are heartbreaking for his family and loved ones,” U.S. Attorney Brian Miller said in a statement. “I hope this prosecution brings some relief for the family while ensuring that justice is delivered.”
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division investigated the shooting.
Further details about the investigation have not been publicly released. A criminal cover sheet associated with the case, which could include additional information, was restricted from public release Monday.
Franklin County Coroner Jordan Conner said Sept. 21 that Lopez’s cause and manner of death remain listed as pending investigation. Conner said the office had not received investigative findings or information from Army CID or the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Stark faces up to eight years in prison, supervised release following incarceration and a fine. A date for his guilty plea hearing was not immediately available.
