Free Republic

The Marine killed by an Orange County sheriff's deputy during a confrontation this week in San Clemente had received medals for his good conduct, the Marine Corps said. The Marine Corps identified the victim as Sgt. Manuel Loggins Jr., 31, a native of Joliet, Ill. He was assigned to a battalion at Camp Pendleton. Loggins was fatally shot by the deputy at about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday in a parking lot near San Clemente High School, officials said. The circumstances of the shooting have not yet been explained publicly by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Loggins enlisted in the Marine Corps...

A veteran Orange County sheriff's deputy feared for the safety of two young girls sitting in a parked car when he shot and killed a Marine sergeant in a dark high school parking lot, authorities said Friday. Sgt. Manuel Loggins Jr. was shot Tuesday as he started to get into the SUV where his two daughters — ages 9 and 14 — were sitting, authorities said. Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Department, said the deputy was fearful that Loggins — who he said appeared to be acting irrationally — was about the drive off with the girls. "The...

Deputy Says He Shot 'Irrational' Marine to Protect Kids in Car 15-year veteran of Sheriff's Department says Sgt. Manny Loggins was about to drive away, so he opened fire to prevent a perceived danger to Loggins' daughters. One other deputy was nearby at the time. The deputy who shot and killed an unarmed Marine sergeant after a predawn traffic stop said the Marine was acting so "irrationally" that it seemed dangerous to let him drive away with his two daughters, an official said Friday. So when the Marine -- later identified as Sgt. Manny Loggins Jr. of Camp Pendleton...