Carlisle man faces involuntary manslaughter charge in Letterkenny soldier’s death
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. —
A Carlisle man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the training death of an 18-year-old soldier at Letterkenny Army Depot earlier this year.
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Information alleges that Sean Stark, 38, killed Private First Class Krystofer Lopez while conducting firearms training in a “grossly negligent manner,” according to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller.
“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.”
Plea deal reachedThe U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a plea agreement along with the information.Under the agreement, Stark agreed to waive indictment and plead guilty to the information, according to the Department of Justice.The DOJ says Stark will enter a guilty plea at a hearing to be scheduled by the court.
Stark faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, a term of supervised release after prison and a fine.
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Ford and Alisan Martin are prosecuting it.
Lopez was shot March 12, 2026, during his first day of firearms training at Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania. According to information provided to his parents by the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, a civilian police officer was demonstrating how to use a Sig Sauer M17 pistol when the weapon fired.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9:30 a.m. in or near Building 322 on California Avenue.
Shooting initially described as accidental, self-inflicted
Emergency responders were first notified at 9:35 a.m. Dispatch requested advanced and basic life-support units and initially described the incident as an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot during training. That account is different from what investigators later told the family.
At 9:37 a.m., dispatch classified the incident as a “class one” response. Two minutes later, officials requested a medical helicopter. That plan changed after they learned the helicopter could not land at the depot, and responders arranged transportation by ambulance.
Hospital records reveal more details
Hospital records reviewed by WGAL indicate that multiple agencies performed CPR at the scene. By 9:44 a.m., Lopez was in traumatic cardiac arrest. Responders continued chest compressions, worked to control the bleeding and attempted to revive him.
An automated external defibrillator delivered one shock at 9:50 a.m.
At 10:07 a.m., emergency personnel reported that Lopez had briefly regained a pulse when firefighters arrived but lost it shortly afterward. The report also stated that he had been without a pulse for at least 20 minutes.
Lopez was transported to Chambersburg Hospital, arriving at 10:18 a.m. without a pulse. Hospital records describe profuse bleeding from the gunshot wound and document more than 5,000 milliliters of blood loss.
Lopez’s parents, Carmen and Hector Lopez, said CID Agent Kevin Nolan had previously told them the M17 had not malfunctioned or fired on its own. They were also told that testing found no problem with the gun and that investigators had obtained video of the shooting.
According to the family, the video showed Lopez wearing protective gear. However, they said his vest was not fully zipped.
The Army said CID was conducting an independent, objective felony criminal investigation into Lopez’s death. The investigation includes a review of the weapon, safety equipment, training procedures, video and forensic evidence.
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A room filled with memories
Earlier this year, Carmen and Hector took us into their late son’s room, a space filled with memories.
“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 pictures stay lit through the night here. 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.'”
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Remembering Krystofer
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The family garage where Krystofer once loved working on his motorcycle is now dedicated in his honor.
WGAL’s previous coverage of Lopez’s death
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.