WPD: ‘Person of interest’ identified in Marine’s shooting death

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) —  Wilmington Police confirm there is a person of interest in the shooting death of a Jacksonville Marine.

Cpl. Edwin Estrada, 27, was found fatally shot in the 200 block of North Front Street around 6:15 a.m. Sunday.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Dandron says no charges have been filed yet, but wants to ease concerns that this was an isolated incident.

No word yet on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

According to GySgt. Christopher Giannetti with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cpl. Estrada joined the Marine Corps in July of 2014 and was promoted to corporal in July.

During his time in the Marines, he had received the Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

“We are currently working with NCIS and local law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation and determine the facts of the incident,” Gunnery Sgt. Giannetti said in a news release.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo told the StarNews Monday Estrada “was attempting to get into the premise or the business and the gentleman confronted him with a gun and killed him. Preliminarily it looks like self defense.”

Cpl. Estrada was a CH-53 helicopter mechanic assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Aircraft Group 29. He was from Los Angeles.