A domestic incident at Hurlburt Field in Florida last Friday left one dead and one injured.
The civilian husband of an airman injured his wife before fatally shooting himself, according to a press release from 1st Special Operations Wing.
Elliot Alexeichik was declared dead on the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while Airman 1st Class Kimberly Alexeichik was transported to a local hospital and is now expected to make a full recovery. Hurlburt Field was briefly ordered under lockdown Friday afternoon when the incident was initially reported.
1st SOW offered no details on the incident beyond this -- the Air Force Office of Special Investigations is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
"Today there was an armed domestic disturbance on our base leaving one dead and one injured," Col. Jocelyn J. Schermerhorn, commander of the 1st SOW said in a Facebook post. "The 1st Special Operations Wing does not condone domestic violence. We constantly work to mitigate this needless violence through our on-base resources and programs that are offered to all Hurlburt Field members."
"I am deeply saddened to learn of this tragedy at Hurlburt Field," Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fl., said in a statement early Saturday morning. "My prayers are with all involved, including the families, first responders, and service members on this tremendous base."
The incident comes as members of Congress are calling for increased protection measures for military survivors of intimate partner violence. Survivors of intimate partner violence in the military receive different protection measures than civilians -- and they're not enough, new legislation says.
Military survivors of intimate partner violence are unprotected and this bill aims to help
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., aims to address the gap between civilian and military protections for survivors of intimate partner violence with new legislation that was also included in the version of the National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House on Tuesday.
Specifically, the legislation would create a system of "Military Court Protective Orders" that would comply with the Violence Against Women Act. Currently, the system in place in the military involves protective orders issued by commanders which are often not recognized by civilian law enforcement. The bill's proposed court orders would extend authorization to commanders, survivors and survivor representatives and would provide better protection for those experiencing intimate partner violence.
The legislation comes as the family of Airman First Class Natasha Aposhian -- believed to have been killed in a domestic violence incident at Grand Forks Air Force Base in June -- await answers.
Aposhian was killed on June 1. Her family came forward two days later explaining they believed Aposhian was killed in an incident of domestic violence. She had briefly been in a relationship with Airman First Class Julian Carlos Torres but told her friends and family that she was concerned he may act violently after she ended the relationship.
Grand Forks airman killed as the result of domestic violence, parents say
Torres allegedly shot Aposhian on June 1. He then shot himself.
"We’re torn apart by the loss of our daughter to a senseless act of domestic violence," Brian Murray and Megan Aposhian, Natasha’s parents, wrote in a statement on June 3. "Natasha had recently joined the Air Force and was just starting to embark on a career serving her country. It’s a tragedy she won’t get to fulfill her hopes and dreams. We ask that you pray for her, our family and the countless victims of these crimes.”
Weeks later, the Air Force has offered no additional information to Aposhian’s family.
Family of Grand Forks airman killed in shooting await answers
"I’ve spoken with many military lawyers who tell me that when survivors do come forward, too often the currently issued military protective orders are not respected by civilian law enforcement and fail to offer meaningful protection," Speier said. "This bill would provide better protection for those suffering intimate partner violence while requiring DoD to track and report to Congress these cases so that we have the data needed to identify and cut out the root of this ongoing problem."
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