Video: Camp Lejeune Marine Lived in Tupelo for Several Years

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — A U.S. marine who was killed earlier this week had ties to Tupelo.

Lance Corporal Mark Boterf was working sentry duty at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina when he was shot and killed Tuesday evening.

Officials with the Department of Defense say Boterf was shot by another marine, who was also on guard duty. The incident is still being investigated, but is being described as an “accidental discharge.”

The 21-year-old marine lived in Tupelo for several years with his family.

Boterf’s former youth minister at West Jackson Street Baptist Church says Mark was active in church, and always ready to help others.

“When a tragedy like this happens, you are scratching your head wondering how could this have happened. He was so young, 21-years-old, but the comfort you take out of that is Mark professed to know Jesus as his lord and savior. He was a Christian, and you know he’s in Heaven if you believe the promises of the Bible, our Lord Jesus.”

Family members say Lance Corporal Boterf had volunteered for duty as a gate guard so a fellow marine could take leave to get married.

The Boterf family moved to Texas several years ago.