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A 21-year-old Offutt Air Force Base airman accused of shooting to death a fellow airman during a “trust” game has been charged in military court.
Airman 1st Class Corey D. Hernandez of Walnut, Calif., was charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with unpremeditated murder while engaged in an inherently dangerous act, concealing physical evidence and furnishing false and material information to a peace officer.
The maximum punishment for all charges is life in prison, a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and allowances and reduction to the lowest enlisted grade.
Hernandez had faced charges in Sarpy County Court of manslaughter and use of a weapon to commit a felony. The charges were dismissed, and the case was transferred to the Air Force court.
He is accused of shooting fellow Offutt airman Michael Garcia, 23, of San Benito, Texas, on Dec. 11 during a "trust" game. According to news reports, some servicemen have played “trust” games to build confidence by pointing a gun at a comrade and asking, “Do you trust me?” Military officials say that violates weapons safety policies.
Capt. Herb Evers of the Bellevue Police Department said Garcia, Hernandez and two other Offutt airmen had been drinking before going to an apartment that Garcia and one of the other airmen shared near Cornhusker and Fort Crook Roads. The other airmen saw the shooting and told police the game was often played there.
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