Late Thursday, word came down that an Army soldier had allegedly shot and killed his battalion commander at Fort Brag, NC. The soldier in question was facing court martial and possible discharge after being accused of stealing a tool box work $1,700 from the base motor pool.

MSNBC reports that:

According to officials, the specialist walked up to his battalion commander, a Lieutenant Colonel, and without warning pulled a pistol and shot the commander three times in the head and twice in the chest. Other soldiers rushed the shooter, who was shot in the head in the ensuing struggle and critically wounded, officials said. A third soldier also suffered a minor gunshot wound.

The man in question has not been named. He was shot and critically wounded in the exchange. He is not expected to survive. The specialist had been a member of the security detail in Afghanistan for the officer that he shot.

Colonel Kevin Arata, spokesman for Fort Bragg, stated “This is a tragedy for our community. We don’t yet know the reasons for the shooting, but are working with the unit and the affected families to help them through this difficult period.”