Richmond County authorities are investigating claims that the Fort Gordon soldier who was killed Saturday was shot in self-defense.
According to law enforcement officials, Army Staff Sgt. Allen White was off base and went to the home of his estranged wife’s new boyfriend on Derby Lane. He reportedly kicked in the door.
The boyfriend – a full-time soldier serving out of the National Guard’s Thomson unit – has told military officials that he shot the Army soldier after White broke into the home.
White, 35, was pronounced dead just before 4 a.m. Saturday after being shot at least once, Coroner Mark Bowen said. No charges have been announced in the case and a RCSO spokesperson declined to release details due to the active investigation. Fort Gordon officials have not commented.
White and his estranged wife were going through a divorce and had twin boys together who were about 6 years old. It’s not clear whether the children were at the Derby Lane home with their mother at the time of the shooting.
White also had two older children – a boy and girl – from a previous relationship who lived with their mother out of town. He has been in the military for many years and was active duty.
White’s father, also named Allen White, posted a Facebook video on Saturday announcing his son’s death.
“The government just came and told me my son was killed, not in action, but by some stupid s**t from another soldier or a love affair,” the father said in the video. “I don’t even know what the f**k is going on.”
The father said the military is going to “bring my son back home.” The father lives in Michigan and is a Navy veteran who said he encouraged his son to serve his country.
The home where the incident happened is listed as Grovetown, but is located near the county line between Richmond and Columbia counties. It is in the jurisdiction of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
