ARLINGTON, Va. - Three Nevada National Guard members have died and two are currently injured as a result of a random shooting at a local eatery Sept. 5 in Carson City, Nev.
Army Maj. Heath Kelly, Army Sgt. 1st Class Miranda McElhiney and Army Sgt. 1st Class Christian Riege died of wounds suffered during an apparent random shooting by a gunman who later killed himself.
Burks spoke of each Guard members who died.
“Major Heath Kelly was a decorated field artillery officer, husband and father who was the commander of the Joint Force Headquarters here in Carson City,” he said. “He served with the active duty Army’s Headquarters, Headquarters Company of 3rd Corps in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Heath was an avid student of military history and was known for his dry sense of humor.”
“Sgt 1st Class Miranda McElhiney was a fast riser in our enlisted corps,” Burks said. “With military occupational specialties in medical, dental and human resources fields, she served Soldiers in several units for more than 13 years, always with a smile on her face.
“She also owned a small baking company and was famous in our headquarters for providing cupcakes for every promotion and celebration.”
“Sgt 1st Class Christian Riege was a Carson City resident who earned his combat spurs with the 1st of the 221st Cavalry in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010,” he said. “A 38-year-old father of three and a fitness buff, he also served in the U.S. Navy for two years before coming to the Guard.
“The tapestry of peoples’ rich lives is difficult to sum up in a few words, but their actions and our memories of them remain in our hearts.”
Burks said there are chaplains, grief counselors, and other resources assisting the families and loved ones of those injured and killed, and for Guard members affected by this tragedy as well.