CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / CAMP PENDLETON
The sailor accused of killing a fellow seaman on duty at Camp Pendleton committed suicide in the base brig, Navy officials said Friday.
Jonathan Campos, 32, of Lancaster was found unresponsive in his cell about 12:20 p.m. and rushed to the base hospital. He was pronounced dead at approximately 1:15 p.m.
Campos, a petty officer 2nd class, had apparently asphyxiated himself with toilet paper, officials said. He had been on suicide watch in the brig and had last been checked at 11:45 a.m., according to a Navy release.
Campos was accused of killing August Provost, 29, who was gay, on June 30, while Provost was in the sentry station outside the landing craft facility at Camp Pendleton.
The officials had charged Campos with murder, drug possession, burglary and several other crimes. He allegedly shot Provost several times as he was attempting to enter the base to destroy property and attack other sailors.
When they announced the charges against Campos, Navy officials said there was no evidence that the killing was a hate crime.
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