Soldier accused of killing his roommate on U.S. Army base

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (TCN) -- A soldier is being charged with murder for allegedly killing his 21-year-old roommate, also a soldier, on the Army base where they lived.

According to a news release, Spc. Jacob Ashton was found dead Aug. 5 on base at Fort Drum in upstate New York. Fort Drum said in their statement that the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division was leading the probe into his death. In an update, the public affairs office announced Spc. Riley Birbilas was arrested on charges of premeditated murder and obstruction of justice in connection with Ashton’s death.

Both men served in Iraq with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Syracuse.com reports Ashton and Birbilas spent nine months in Iraq and returned to the United States in April. They became roommates after that.

Ashton’s enlistment was reportedly scheduled to end in December. His family told Syracuse.com he wanted to become a police officer or firefighter.

Ashton’s sister, Alaina Ustupski, said to WWNY-TV, "He went to Iraq and didn’t have a scratch on him, then comes home, thinks he is safe, and apparently isn’t."

Birbilas is in custody at the Oneida County Jail.

During his military service, Ashton was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with C Device, the National Defense Service Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Col. Anthony Gore said in Fort Drum’s statement, "Our entire Commando family feels profound sorrow for the loss of Jacob. While words do little to ease the pain of Jacob’s passing, we are a family, and we will wrap our arms around his family as well as support each other. Let us live in a manner worthy of honoring Jacob’s life and service."

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