The Marine killed in a training mishap Friday evening aboard the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps base has been identified. LCpl. Austin Ruiz, 19, of Naples, Florida, died and another Marine was injured January 13 during what was called a “routine training mission.” According to his hometown television station, family members say they were notified by Brigadier General William F. Mullen III, the Commanding General of the base. The base has not released any further information and said the incident is under investigation. Ruiz’s family said he had wanted to be a Marine since he was a young boy growing up in Collier County and joined as soon as he turned 18. Ruiz had been back in the Unites States for about a week after being stationed in Japan, where they say he met a woman and fell in love. The couple became engaged on Christmas. His fiancée may not be able to attend his funeral because of visa issues.
