Discussion about football turns deadly

A discussion between friends about the Texas-Nebraska football game turned deadly Sunday morning in Havelock.

Johnathan Clinton Rodriguez, 21, died as a result of a single gunshot wound, according to a release from the Havelock Police Department.

Lionel Loya, 23, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death.

The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Sunday at 142 A Witten Circle, Havelock.

Havelock Police Chief G. Wayne Cyrus said the friends began discussing Saturday night’s Big 12 Championship game, which Texas won 13-12 on a field goal on the last play of the game.

Cyrus said Rodriguez and Loya, both Marines, got involved in a discussion about the game that turned into a friendly scuffle. Loya had a gun at the time.

"It was just friendly banter going back and forth," Cyrus said. "One was a Texas fan and one was not.

"There was not any indication of hostility between the two. At this point, the evidence points to the gun accidently discharged."

According to the 911 call, a copy of which was obtained by the Havelock News, the caller from the home reports that the shooting was an accident, and that the two men were playing around. The caller also indicates they were unaware the gun was loaded.

Police responded around 2:30 a.m. to a call at the residence, which is owned by Loya. They found Rodriguez shot in the left shoulder and chest area in a bedroom. Paramedics attempted treatment, but Rodriguez was declared dead at the scene, according to a release from the police department.

Police recovered a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol at the scene, according to the release.

There were two other people at the home at the time of the shooting, another Marine and Loya’s wife. Police said they were witnesses.

According to police, Rodriguez and Loya were Marines who worked in the same unit, Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2, at Cherry Point. Rodriguez occasionally stayed at Loya’s home.

According to the VMAQ-2 Web site, Loya is a corporal who was recently named the squadron’s non-commissioned officer of the quarter at the same time that Rodriguez was named the squadron’s Marine of the quarter.

According to a release from Cherry Point, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is assisting in the investigation.

Rodriguez had been in the Marine Corps for two years and nine months working as an aircraft electrical systems technician, according to the release. His awards include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Loya appeared in court on Monday and was released to military authorities.