19-Year-Old Female Sailor Mysteriously Shot On Board Aircraft Carrier

It seems almost like a plot from the TV show NCIS. A female sailor was found mysteriously shot on board a San Diego based aircraft carrier.

The unnamed 19-year-old sailor was found shot on board the Essex. The Navy Sailor was taken to the trauma center at the University of San Diego Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The Navy has not released the name of the sailor because her family has not yet been notified.

The Daily Mail reports Navy spokesman Rick Chernitzer as saying "the Navy was saddened by the loss of its sailor."

An investigation is being launched to try and figure out if the 19-year-old female navy sailor was murdered or committed suicide. There is no other information about the case at this time.

NBC San Diego reported personal fire arms are not allowed on board navy ships during an interview with retired Navy commander Chris Cooke.

"It is very unusual for someone to have their own fire arm on a ship with ammunition and to use it in any manner," Cooke said.

NBC San Diego did not say how they came to the conclusion the gun used to shoot the Navy sailor belonged to the victim.

Cooke also said, "At this stage it sounds like there's really not enough information to tell which way the investigation would go other than trying to figure out who was involved? What was involved? And all the circumstances leading up to the shooting."

The story about the 19-year-old female sailor who was shot on board the amphibious assault ship Essex has sparked a debate on social media sites like Facebook, about whether or not women belong in combat.

Paul DiBenedetto posted a sarcastic comment via Facebook saying, "Having women in the ranks is really working out. Thanks feminists."

Vikki Thompson replied to DiBenedetto's comment saying, "Yep. Because there is no such thing as men shooting themselves or other service members."

Glenn Hess posted, "This wasn't a suicide. Life is different onboard a ship and some [people] today just don't have respect for women who serve. Unless they are on their knees serving them. I hope the Navy doesn't cover this up as it has done in the past."

People on Facebook are claiming to know the identity of the 19-year-old victim. They are claiming her first name is Cynthia and she is from Upland California. Until the investigation is complete and an official report is released no positive identity will be announced.