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Army First Lt. Brandon Keyon Moultrie, 28, died May 5, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska, after being shot outside a bar the day before.

Army First Lt. Brandon Keyon Moultrie, 28, died May 5, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska, after being shot outside a bar the day before. (U.S. Army)

An Alaska-based Army platoon leader died Sunday of gunshot injuries he sustained the day before while a bystander to a shooting in downtown Fairbanks, the Army said in a news release Monday.

First Lt. Brandon Keyon Moultrie, 28, of Columbia, S.C., died at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, according to the release.

Moultrie was shot in the back of the head during an altercation outside the International Hotel and Bar, the Anchorage Daily News reported Monday.

Moultrie was not involved in the dispute and was hit by a random shot, Fairbanks police told the newspaper.

Shamar Rashied Terrill Snipes, 21, was arrested Saturday and charged Monday with second-degree murder, the report said.

Moultrie was a logistical platoon leader with the 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, the Army news release states.

He enlisted in July 2013 and was commissioned in 2022 through Officer Candidate School. He was stationed in Alaska in May 2023 following stints at Fort Gregg-Adams, Va.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Fort Stewart, Ga.

“His passing is a profound loss to our community and all those that knew him and he will be dearly missed,” Col. Derek Smith, commander of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, said in the release.

“Our hearts go out to the Moultrie family during this incredibly difficult time, and we are committed to providing all the care and support available to his family and friends.”

Among Moultrie’s awards and decorations were the Army Commendation Medal, three awards of the Army Achievement Medal, three awards of the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge, according to the release.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Troy University in Alabama.

Just days before his death, Moultrie had been recognized by installation officials for his volunteer work in the Fort Wainwright community, the release states.

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Wyatt Olson is based in the Honolulu bureau, where he has reported on military and security issues in the Indo-Pacific since 2014. He was Stars and Stripes’ roving Pacific reporter from 2011-2013 while based in Tokyo. He was a freelance writer and journalism teacher in China from 2006-2009.

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