CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A U.S. Marine originally from Missouri died on Thursday in a training accident near Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
According to a press release from II Marine Expeditionary Force posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sgt. Colin Arslanbas died during a training accident near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune just after 11 p.m. on Thursday. He was assigned to the Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) in the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Arslanbas was a 2019 graduate of Fort Zumwalt West High School in O'Fallon, Missouri.
Arslanbas was a classmate of Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, another service member killed serving our country in 2021.
Schmitz's father, Mark Schmitz, says he's been speaking to Arslanbas' mom trying to offer his support through this difficult time.
"He was serving this country just like my son was and just like so many before them. When I heard about Colin, it just tore me up. Colin was married and has a baby on the way, which just crushes you to know that he's never going to have the opportunity to meet his son or daughter," Schmitz said.
Schmitz has also been offering his help to the Marine's mom for his homecoming.
"I feel for her because I know what she's going to be going through. I really would love to see the same type of outpouring of support that my son got. I think that's really important for her and her family too," Schmitz said.
Schmitz says his son's homecoming procession allowed him to heal.
"There were young kids who pulled out of school to be there, to have this as a learning experience about who my son was or who her son was. To see old veterans on the side of the road wiping away tears as your loved one drives by them. It was awe-inspiring—I mean, it was just unbelievable," Schmitz said.
While Arslanbas' mom is still trying to plan where he will be buried, Schmitz says Jefferson Barracks is a possibility.
"I know that as a young boy, he used to come here and place the flags on Memorial Day and would come back and gather them up, and she said he absolutely loved doing that," said Schmitz.
The Fort Zumwalt School District remembered Arslanbas in the following statement:
"Sgt. Arslanbas is remembered as a student with an infectious smile and a passion for serving those around him. Fort Zumwalt will honor his service and his sacrifice in a fashion and at a time that is in accordance with the family’s wishes and the protocols and traditions of the United States Marine Corps."
The press release said that Arslanbas joined the Marine Corps about four years ago and quickly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to sergeant earlier this month.
He also served as a Reconnaissance Marine with the MSPF while stationed at base camp Lejeune, the press release said. He was a highly decorated military officer with several medals in Marine Corps Good Conduct, Global War on Terrorism Service and National Defense Service.
Schmitz said his advice for Arslanbas' mom: "I would just encourage her to take her time but try to embrace as much of the support she's going to be given."
The circumstances of the training accident were not disclosed.
The accident remained under investigation.