The U.S. Air Force’s adoption of the SIG M18 pistol—the military variant of the civilian P320—has been under scrutiny since a fatal shooting at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. What was initially reported as a tragic accidental discharge from a dropped SIG M18 has now been revealed as a deliberate cover-up involving negligence, horseplay, and false statements.
Two airmen have pleaded guilty to making false statements to investigators, exposing the truth behind the death of 21-year-old Brayden Lovan
The Official Story vs. The Truth: What Really Happened
On the night of the incident, three airmen—Marcus White-Allen, Sarbjot Badesha, and Matthew Rodriguez—were together when White-Allen allegedly pointed his loaded M18 at Lovan’s chest in a “joking manner.” The gun discharged, fatally wounding Lovan.
Instead of reporting the truth, White-Allen instructed his fellow airmen to lie:
- To Badesha: “Tell them I slammed my duty belt on the desk and it went off.”
- To Rodriguez: “Say the holster went off.”
Both airmen complied, feeding investigators a fabricated story of an accidental drop-fire—a narrative that triggered a month-long suspension of all M18 pistols across nuclear missile sites.
Key Fact: The Air Force inspected 7,970 M18 pistols during the pause and found 191 with wear-related discrepancies—mostly in the safety lever, striker, and sear. All were repaired, and no mechanical malfunctions were linked to negligent discharges.
Guilty Pleas and Consequences
Badesha and Rodriguez later admitted to making false official statements. Their punishments included:
| Airman | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Sarbjot Badesha | 30 days confinement, $1,545 fine, administrative demotion |
| Matthew Rodriguez | 10 days confinement, 15 days base restriction, $500 fine, administrative demotion |
Meanwhile, Marcus White-Allen, the alleged shooter, was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and false statements. Tragically, he was found dead on base on October 8, 2025, with the cause still under investigation.
SIG M18 Safety: Drop-Fire Myths Debunked (This Time)
The initial “dropped gun” lie fueled speculation about SIG P320/M18 drop-safety issues, a controversy that peaked in 2017 when early civilian models were found to discharge when dropped at specific angles.
SIG Sauer fixed the issue with a voluntary upgrade program, and the M18 passed rigorous military testing, including:
- Drop tests from multiple heights and angles
- Extreme temperature and environmental exposure
- 20,000+ round endurance trials
The Air Force confirmed: No M18 negligent discharges have been caused by mechanical failure.
Yet, 191 out of 7,970 pistols (over 2.4%) showed premature wear—raising concerns about long-term durability under minimal use (many are carried by gate guards, not combat troops).
Key Takeaways: Firearms Safety and Accountability
- Horseplay with firearms is never a joke. Pointing a loaded gun—even in jest—can end in tragedy.
- Cover-ups destroy trust. The false “dropped gun” story wasted resources and delayed justice.
- Mechanical reliability ≠ human reliability. The M18 didn’t fail—the operator did.
- Training and culture matter more than hardware. The Air Force must reinforce safe handling protocols across all ranks.