John Kennedy

The Navy has released a sailor serving on the John F. Kennedy from pre-trial confinement following a fatal shooting aboard the aircraft carrier June 6.

Emergency personnel responded to the shooting at roughly 5:16 a.m. that resulted in the death of Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Jesse Braswell.

Braswell, of Colorado, served on the pre-commissioned ship, which is docked at Newport News Shipbuilding. It completed sea trials earlier this year and is getting its final outfitting on the banks of the James River. The shipyard is expected to deliver it in March.

A sailor was placed in pretrial confinement in connection with the incident, but was subsequently released in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rule for Court-Martial 305, according to a Navy spokesperson.

“The Navy is committed to ensuring the military justice system is fair and impartial, and any accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

According to Rule for Court-Martial 305, no person may be ordered into pretrial confinement without probable cause that an offense triable by court-martial has been committed, the person confined committed it and confinement is required by the circumstances.

The commander is required to direct the prisoner’s release from confinement with 72 hours, unless the commander believes there is probable cause upon reasonable grounds that the requirements for confinement are still applicable and less severe forms of restraint are inadequate.

The Navy declined to identify the sailor who was released, citing an ongoing investigation, and directed questions on the investigation to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. NCIS did not respond to questions by press time.

“Our deepest condolences are with Seaman Braswell’s family, friends and shipmates,” the Navy spokesperson said. “Chaplain and counseling services are available on board and throughout the region for those affected.”

Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, [email protected]