Carlisle Man Pleads Guilty in Death of Specialist Krystofer Lopez

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sean Stark, 38, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today before United States District Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr. to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Private First Class Krystofer Lopez at Letterkenny Army Depot on March 12, 2026.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Stark was a Department of the Army Police Officer at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA. Krystofer Lopez was a Private First Class (PFC) in the U.S. Army and was assigned to serve as a gate guard at Letterkenny. On March 12, 2026, Officer Stark was providing PFC Lopez pre-marksmanship instruction in a classroom inside the police barracks before departing for the range where PFC Lopez would qualify with a handgun, rifle, and shotgun. At one point, Stark went outside and loaded his duty handgun and failed to clear his weapon upon returning inside. Stark then conducted a drill in which he demonstrated how to unholster his weapon, aim, and fire while the firearm was pointed at PFC Lopez. The weapon discharged, striking PFC Lopez in the chest and killing him.

PFC Lopez was posthumously promoted to the rank of Specialist.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim's family and loved ones as they deal with this tragic loss of life," said U.S. Attorney Miller. "We hope this plea offers some measure of comfort while ensuring accountability on behalf of the victim."

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Ford and Alisan Martin are prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 8 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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