An intelligence specialist who was found dead in a Pentagon parking lot earlier this year died from a self-inflicted gunshot, investigators said.
The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) determined that Master Sgt. Juan Paulo Ferrer Bordador – who was found dead on March 14 in a vehicle near the Pentagon – shot himself in the chest.
Bordador was an intelligence senior sergeant for the Joint Staff when he died, officials said.
“The investigation into the tragic death of Master Sgt. Juan Paulo Ferrer Bordador … was concluded July 25,” a CID spokesperson said, according to Stars and Stripes. “The investigation by Army CID and the autopsy conducted by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner both concluded the cause of death was a contact gunshot wound to chest, and the manner of death was suicide.”
Bordador worked for the Joint Staff security office as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Technical Surveillance Countermeasure program.
According to his obituary, Bordador enlisted in the United States Army as a Counterintelligence and Force Protection Special Agent after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
“His military service took him to many parts of the world, from countries like Japan, Germany, Korea, Iraq, Russia, Israel, Canada, Belgium, France and more. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan he met his wife, Mayumi in 2014. He settled down with her in Severn, Maryland where he built a home for all of his children. JP was a devoted father, a loving husband, a dedicated son, a wonderful brother, and a thoughtful friend.”
An update from the Pentagon earlier this year showed suicide rates among active-duty military personnel rose 25% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year.
“Every death by suicide is a tragedy that impacts our people, our military units, and our readiness,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin previously said. “We have the most technologically advanced military in the world, but our service members are our most important resource as a fighting force. Mental health wellness and suicide prevention remain critical aspects to our success.”
Service members and veterans in need of immediate help can reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing “1,” or text 838255, or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.
