An American suspect who is facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a young Palauan U.S. soldier reportedly admitted his involvement in the shooting.
As reported by Colorado’s Fox 21 News online, symptoms 30-year-old Matthew Dejong admitted to shooting at 19-year old U.S. Army Private Olajuwon “Olai” Kumangai on New Year’ day in Colorado Springs.
Dejong however couldn’t recall how many times he pulled the trigger. Information gathered by Colorado Springs police detectives described an outing with Kumangai and his family members who decided to ring in the New Year at a local bar.
During the bar outing, and Kumangai allegedly met a local woman who later joined him and the family at their apartment complex.
Statements given to police revealed that the woman later left the apartment saying her ride has arrived.
Some time later, capsule the suspect pulled up outside of the apartment with the same woman in the car.
The suspect and the woman were reportedly arguing in the vehicle before the suspect approached the apartment armed with a gun where he then started an argument.
He confronted several people outside of the apartment before firing one round into the air.
The suspect told police officers that after he got back in the car he shot at Kumangai.
The El Paso County Coroner in his initial exam reports that Kumangai suffered from at least three gun shot wounds.
Its uncertain what Dejong’s motive was in shooting Kumangai, however he remains in police custody.
