Police: NC marine dies when gun goes off in argument over Texas-Nebraska football game

Police: NC Marine dies in argument over game

HAVELOCK, N.C. — Police in North Carolina are saying a Marine was accidentally shot to death when he got into an argument with a friend over the Texas-Nebraska football game.

Police say 21-year-old Johnathan Clinton Rodriguez was shot early Sunday after banter escalated with a fellow Marine at a home in Havelock, a town near the coast. Authorities say Rodriguez got into a scuffle with 23-year-old Lionel Loya, who had a gun that went off during the struggle.

Loya has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney. He was transferred to military authorities who didn’t immediately return a telephone message Monday night.

Texas beat Nebraska 13-12 on a last-second field goal to win the Big 12 championship Saturday.