Marine Faces Court-Martial for Fatal Shooting at Camp Lejeune

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Lance Cpl. Austin Brian Schwenk, born at the Marine Corps’ largest base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was shot and killed in October at the same base in an incident the Marines have released few details on.

Schwenk, who graduated from boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, in 2022, followed in the footsteps of his father, Robert Brian Schwenk Jr., a Marine from 2002 to 2006. “He was born a Marine,” said his father.

Another Marine, Corporal Jesse Thomas Bopp, is set to face a general court-martial for Schwenk's death. Bopp faces charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and violation of a lawful order. The court-martial is scheduled to take place between November 4 and 18 at Camp Lejeune, according to the 2nd Marine Division. Bopp is currently held in pretrial confinement at the Marine Corps Installations – East Regional Brig at Camp Lejeune.

Marine Corps Times first reported Bopp’s court-martial for the October 18, 2023, shooting of Schwenk in a barracks at Camp Lejeune. Prosecutors accuse Bopp of killing Schwenk with a firearm and of “wrongfully possessing, carrying, displaying, firing, and discharging a weapon” at the base. The charge sheet does not provide further details about the incident.

General courts-martial address the most serious offenses under the military justice system. If convicted of murder, Bopp could face the death penalty or a prison term ranging from 10 years to life.

Bopp enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2019 and completed recruit training in San Diego. His military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Certificate of Commendation, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Both Bopp and Schwenk were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines at the time of the shooting.

Schwenk’s father, who shares his son’s middle name, declined to discuss the circumstances of his son’s death to preserve the integrity of the upcoming trial. He described his son as someone who brought joy to everyone around him. “He could make anyone smile,” Robert Brian Schwenk Jr. said. “At 19 years old he would still run around with his little 8-year-old sister acting like a kid, playing hide and seek and making sure that he showed her the love of a big brother.”