Last week, a startling incident unfolded within the confines of Fort Drum military base. Tragically, a member of the unit was reportedly killed by his fellow soldier and roommate. The alleged perpetrator, 22-year-old U.S. Army Spc. Riley F. Birbilas from Kodiak, Alaska, has been charged with premeditated murder and obstruction of justice, as detailed in a press statement on Monday afternoon.
The victim, identified as 21-year-old Spc. Jacob Ashton hailing from Perry, Ohio, was discovered deceased on the sprawling military base earlier this month. His lifeless body was spotted within his car in a parking lot, a reality that still baffles his family members.
Michelle Ustupski, Ashton’s grieving aunt, relayed some unsettling details she received from base officials. She was informed that her nephew passed away due to blunt force trauma. An official investigation into the annihilation led to the arrest of Birbilas sometime during the previous week.
Hanging under the clouds of suspicion of having committed an atrocious crime, Birbilas remained under detention over the weekend at the Oneida County jail in Oriskany, located about 120 miles away from Fort Drum. Officials have confirmed that he will be tried under the auspices of the military justice system.
In accordance with military law proceedings, charges have been ‘preferred’ against Birbilas. This essentially signifies the initiation of a criminal indictment process. A preliminary hearing awaits Birbilas, which operates analogously to an arraignment in the military justice system.
However, the tale darkens further, as both Birbilas and Ashton were not only roommates but also comrades serving in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division. Their bonds had been forged more deeply when they were deployed together for a nine-month tour of duty in the Middle East during the previous summer.
Adding to the mystery, no reason for this heinous act has been suggested by officials. With nearly 15,000 servicemembers residing at Fort Drum and around 4,000 civilian employees, the base remains an active hub of multiple army units, including their own 10th Mountain Division in Jefferson County.
According to Ustupski, the pair had been sharing quarters since their return from deployment in Iraq last April. Ashton, she noted, had never expressed experiencing any disputes or disagreements with Birbilas during their cohabitation.
Describing her nephew’s persona, Ustupski recalled Ashton’s peaceful temperament. The soft-spoken soldier perceived his military service as an opportunity to help others and venture into new experiences. His dedication was not incidental but a continuation of a lineage of service initiated by his grandfather, also a former Army serviceman.
On his enlistment with the U.S. Army in 2021, Ashton underwent basic combat training at Fort Moore in Georgia. Throughout his service, he garnered several honors such as the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the respected Combat Infantry Badge.
Ustupski also shared her and her family’s constant anxieties that engulfed their thoughts while Ashton was serving overseas. The cruel irony that Ashton returned home safe from Iraq only to meet a tragic end on his own base in the hands of his fellow soldier is a devastating thought they struggle to comprehend.
Ustupski revealed that Ashton’s tenure with the armed forces was nearing its conclusion, with his official discharge due in December. He had been enthusiastic about his post-military career, contemplating professional training in law enforcement or fire-fighting, embracing his instinct to continue serving others.
In a poignant lament, Ustupski echoed the sadness shared by many others. ‘He was only 21,’ she said, her voice thick with sorrow. ‘He was just at the doorstep of a promising future.’ This tragic event reminds us once more of the unpredictable nature of life and the sometimes dangerous and uncertain world we inhabit.