Army releases cause of death for soldier found dead at Fort Bragg

The Army has released the cause of death of an airborne soldier who was found dead in his barracks room at Fort Bragg on November 25.

Specialist Carlton L. Butler, a 22-year-old infantryman, was assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

The Army’s investigation concluded that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Carlton was an energetic and motivated Paratrooper,” said Lieutenant Colonel Graham R. White, commander of 2nd Battalion, 505th PIR, after his death. “Our thoughts now turn to his family and fellow paratroopers.”

Butler, of North Miami Beach, Florida, joined the Army in June 2014 after graduating from North Miami Beach High School. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in December of the same year.

“While attending John F. Kennedy Middle his interest in Military sparked. Upon entering his freshman year of high school in 2008, Carlton joined the J.R.O.T.C, program where he excelled tremendously and made lifelong impressions on those around him,” according to his obituary. “During this time, he found his love for Military life.”

The Army transported Butler’s remains from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Monday.

“Carlton was a patriotic, energetic, and motivated young man, who — just recently — had been promoted up to a Gun Team Leader position in Bravo Company, a position he rightly earned,” White, wrote in a Facebook post.

His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Northwest Baptist Church in Miami-Dade County, according to Miami’s ABC news.

“Carlton was a very energetic, motivate, determine, lovable and kind young man. At an early age, Carlton became a member of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, where he received Christ,” said his obituary.