Man set to plead guilty in Letterkenny soldier's training death

Carlisle man set to plead guilty in Letterkenny soldier's training death WGAL As the investigation into the death of Specialist Krystofer Lopez continues, questions remain about both the weapon used in training and whether protocols were followed. SOURCE: WGAL Advertisement Updated: 11:18 PM EST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Tasmin Mahfuz Anchor Carlisle man set to plead guilty in Letterkenny soldier's training death Updated: 11:18 PM EST Nov 11, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Tasmin Mahfuz Anchor HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Carlisle man charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of an 18-year-old soldier at Letterkenny Army Depot is due in federal court today. Under a plea agreement with prosecutors, he is expected to plead guilty. WHEN | Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. Advertisement WHERE | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Sylvia H. Rambo United States Courthouse, 150 Walnut St., Harrisburg. WGAL will have crews covering today's plea hearing. Stay with us for updates. The charge and the plea agreement Federal prosecutors say Sean Stark, 38, killed Pfc. Krystofer Lopez while running firearms training in a "grossly negligent manner." Lopez was shot March 12, 2026, on his first day of firearms training at the depot. U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller announced the charge in September. Under the agreement, Stark agreed to give up his right to an indictment and plead guilty to the charge, according to the Department of Justice. "The circumstances surrounding Mr. Lopez's death are heartbreaking for his family and loved ones," Miller said in a statement. "I hope this prosecution brings some relief for the family while ensuring that justice is delivered." Stark faces up to eight years in prison, a period of supervised release afterward and a fine. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) investigated the case. LINK | Read the full plea agreement . LINK | Read the involuntary manslaughter count . Defense calls death 'unintentional' When the charge was announced, Stark's lawyers released this statement: "Our client, Sean Stark, and his family express their deepest condolences to the family of Specialist Krystofer Lopez. The circumstances surrounding Specialist Lopez's unintentional death are tragic. These circumstances will undoubtedly be addressed at the appropriate times and in the appropriate venues. However, out of respect for Specialist Lopez and his family, neither Mr. Stark, nor counsel will be making additional public statements in the immediate future." Depot suspends Stark Letterkenny Army Depot Chief of Public Affairs Todd Wivell said Stark worked for the depot's Directorate of Emergency Services. He has been suspended indefinitely. "The death of Specialist Krystofer Lopez during a training exercise on March 12, 2026, was a devastating tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers remain steadfast with his family and unit," Wivell said. "Letterkenny Army Depot has cooperated fully with federal authorities throughout this investigation. Because criminal proceedings are ongoing, we cannot comment further on the specifics of the legal charges or the case. We refer all inquiries regarding the prosecution to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania." What happened on March 12? This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Lopez's parents, Carmen and Hector, said CID investigators initially told them a civilian police officer was demonstrating how to use a Sig Sauer M17 pistol when the gun fired. The shooting happened shortly after 9:30 a.m. in or near Building 322 on California Avenue. WGAL Sig Sauer M17. First reports called it self-inflicted Emergency responders got the first call at 9:35 a.m. Dispatchers asked for advanced and basic life-support units and first described the shooting as an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot during training, contrary to what investigators later told the family. At 9:37 a.m., dispatch made it a "class one" response. Two minutes later, officials asked for a medical helicopter. When they learned it couldn't land at the depot, they arranged for an ambulance instead. Hospital records show fight to save him Hospital records reviewed by WGAL show that several agencies gave Lopez CPR at the scene: 9:44 a.m.: Lopez was in traumatic cardiac arrest. Responders kept up chest compressions, tried to stop the bleeding and worked to revive him. 9:50 a.m.: A defibrillator (AED) delivered one shock. 10:07 a.m.: Responders reported that Lopez briefly had a pulse again when firefighters arrived, but lost it soon after. The report said he had been without a pulse for at least 20 minutes. 10:18 a.m.: Lopez arrived at Chambersburg Hospital with no pulse. The records describe heavy bleeding from the gunshot wound and blood loss of more than 5,000 milliliters. WGAL Video of the shooting? Lopez's parents said CID Agent Kevin Nolan told them the M17 did not malfunction or fire on its own. They were told testing found no problem with the gun and that investigators had video of the shooting. The family said the video shows Lopez wearing protective gear, but his vest was not fully zipped. The Army has said CID carried out an independent, objective felony criminal investigation. It covered the weapon, safety equipment, training procedures, video and forensic evidence. A family's grief This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Earlier this year, Carmen and Hector Lopez showed WGAL their son's bedroom, which is still full of his things. "It's hard to walk into his room," Carmen said. "When I come in this room, I can't close the door because I feel like if I close the door, he won't come home." Candles and photos stay lit through the night. A bag of his favorite snacks sits by his bed. "The first night, when we realized he was gone and we realized he wasn't going to come back, I turned around and I washed everything. My husband said, 'Let it go.' And I said, 'I can't, my son has to have clean sheets. He has to have a clean bed to come home to.'" Remembering Krystofer This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The family has dedicated the garage where Krystofer loved working on his motorcycle in his honor. The Army promoted him to specialist after his death. WGAL WGAL's previous coverage of Lopez's death New details uncovered in 18-year-old soldier's Letterkenny Army Depot death Questions remain about weapon, protocols followed in soldier's death at Letterkenny Army Depot Heartbroken mother, father searching for answers after son's training death Community honors fallen soldier Krystofer Lopez at Biglerville High School This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Make WGAL a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Why are gas prices dropping and how low will they go? 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