Security Forces Airman Brandon Lovan was killed while on duty at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, on July 20, 2025. Preliminary reports from airmen stationed at the base attributed Lovan’s death to an uncommanded discharge from an Air Force-issued M18 pistol. In response to these reports, Global Strike Command and the entire Air Force conducted inspections of all M18 pistols in service.
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On Oct. 31, 2025, the 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs published a court-martial summary following the investigation into Lovan’s death. Airman 1st Class Sarbjot Badesha and Airman 1st Class Matthew Rodriguez both pleaded guilty to making false official statements relating to Lovan’s death. Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen mishandled his M18, killing Lovan, and conspired with the others to cover up the incident.
During their guilty pleas, both Airmen admitted they saw White-Allen pull his duty weapon from his holster and point it at Lovan’s chest in a joking manner. Each stated they then heard the firearm go off and saw Lovan fallen on the ground. According to their pleas, in the immediate aftermath of the incident, White-Allen told Badesha, “Here’s the story. Tell them that I slammed my duty belt on the desk, and it went off.”
Additionally, White-Allen told Rodriguez to tell the responding emergency personnel, White-Allen’s “holster went off.” Neither Airman reported that information to investigators during their initial witness interviews on Jul. 20, 2025. The false statements from both Airmen hindered law enforcement efforts, leading investigators to initially believe Lovan’s death was a result of an accidental discharge from White-Allen’s M18.
White-Allen was being investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations for Lovan’s death before the release of the court-martial press release. The Air Force noted that White-Allen had his finger on the trigger of his M18 when he placed it on Lovan’s chest, and laboratory tests found no defects with the weapon itself. On Oct. 8, 2025, White-Allen was found dead in his dormitory; the investigation into his death remains open.
Badesha was sentenced to 30 days in confinement, reduction to E-1, and forfeiture of pay in the amount of $1,545. Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 days confinement, 15 days restriction to base, reduction to E-2, and forfeiture of $500. Following the service-wide inspection, the M18 was returned to duty by the Air Force. Global Strike Command reported that its inspection identified discrepancies with 191 pistols, primarily involving problems with the safety lever, striker assembly, and sear; these discrepancies were tagged for immediate repairs.
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Sig Sauer, the manufacturer of the M18 and the P320 pistol on which it is based, has maintained that the weapon is not capable of firing without its trigger being pulled.
“The P320 is trusted by the U.S. Military, law enforcement professionals, and responsible citizens worldwide,” said Samantha Piatt, Sig Sauer’s Communications Director, in a company statement.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Sig Sauer alleging uncommanded discharges by the P320. Sig Sauer lists 13 of these cases as dismissed on its website. However, two cases in 2024 resulted in juries awarding a total of $13.35 million to plaintiffs who reported that their P320s fired without the trigger being pulled. The P320 remains in service with all branches of the military except the Coast Guard, which uses Glock pistols under a Department of Homeland Security contract.
“We’re committed to providing the best equipment to [the warfighter],” Phil Strader, Sig Sauer’s Vice President of Consumer Affairs, told We Are The Mighty. At AUSA 2025, Sig Sauer displayed new M18 accessories, including an improved grip module, flared magwell, and red dot sight with a NATO stock number for military use.
