Two Camp Pendleton Marines kiled at a patrol base in Afghanistan may have been shot by an Afghan National Army soldier, Marine Corps representatives said Sunday.

Marines patrolling in Afghanistan (Creative Commons)

The Afghan soldier reportedly fled the scene after allegedly firing bullets at the two Marines during Thursday’s attack, said witnesses. The situation is currently under investigation by Afghan National Security Force and International Security Assistance Force authorities.

Little other information is known about the deaths of 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson, of Arvada, Colo., and 22-year-old Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm, of Flagstaff, Ariz. 

 “We offer our deepest sympathies and want to ensure all know the sacrifices these Marines have made in our commitment to the safety and security of the Afghan people,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, Commander of NATO’s Regional Command Southwest in a statement on Sunday. 

Both Pearson and Broehm were on their first combat deployment. The unit suffered many losses since their move to the Sangin District over the summer. The deaths brought the total number of this battalion’s fatalities to 12 since the beginning of October.

 The Taliban claimed responsibility for last week’s attack and said the accused Afghan soldier is being protected in its ranks.

Among the main duties of Marines are the training and preparing of Afghan security forces to oversee the area when U.S. forces are no longer there.

When asked if this incident may be a part of a larger problem, Mills insisted that these accusations did not coincide with the “professionalism” of the Afghan soldiers.

Reach staff reporter Shakira Keller here.

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