A Camp Pendleton Marine was killed late Saturday or early Sunday in his barracks, and a Marine who jumped from a balcony where the incident occurred is considered a suspect in the slaying, authorities said Monday.
Lance Cpl. Mario Arias, 19, was "the apparent victim of a homicide," Naval Criminal Investigative Service spokesman Ed Buice said late Monday afternoon.
Authorities were called to Arias' room about 1 a.m. Sunday, where they found him dead in his bed, Buice said.
The Marine suspected of being responsible was found outside the barracks where he had jumped from a third-floor balcony, Buice said.
That Marine, whom authorities refused to identify by name and rank, was being treated for injuries suffered when he hit the ground, Buice said.
An unconfirmed report suggested that Arias died as a result of a gunshot wound. Buice would not comment on that report.
The incident occurred in a barracks complex near Mainside, a commercial, residential and headquarters area in the heart of the Marine Corps base.
Arias was an air-crew trainee with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303.
He grew up in Canoga Park, where he graduated from high school before enlisting in August 2010.
The case is being handled by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service's Major Response Team, Buice said.
Buice said the investigation is ongoing and that he could not provide any additional information.
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