Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Jesse Dean Braswell was killed in a shooting aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy in the early morning of June 5, 2026. The carrier was docked at Newport News Shipyard in Virginia when the incident occurred at about 5:16 a.m.; Braswell, whose home of record was Colorado, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The U.S. Navy and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service opened an immediate investigation. Another sailor was taken into custody and placed in pretrial confinement in connection with Braswell’s death, but authorities have not publicly identified that individual and, as of the latest reports, no formal charges had been announced. The Navy has provided chaplain and counseling services to shipmates and expressed condolences to the family.

Braswell enlisted in the Navy on October 31, 2024, reported to PCU John F. Kennedy on March 13, 2025, and was advanced to E-3 on April 30, 2026. The investigation remains active and key details, including motive and the precise sequence of events, have not been released.

If anyone served aboard the John F. Kennedy or was at the Newport News Shipyard that morning and has information about what happened, please share what is known.