According to WJLA.com, Philip Bushong, a U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, was stabbed by fellow Marine Michael Joseph Poth, 20, after a homophobic slur was used against Bushong.
"Information uncovered during the course of the preliminary investigation indicates that there was a verbal exchange and during the exchange a homophobic slur was heard from the suspect prior to the stabbing," police said in a statement reported on Courant.com.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Poth is claiming self defense, though no wounds were found and he did not request medical treatment.
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When he was younger, Bushong lived in Ellington, making a huge impact on those who knew him.
The Courant reported Bushong lived in Enfield from about 2003 to 2007, said Robin Rice, his former stepmother. According to Rice, Bushong's father and a brother live in East Windsor and his mother lives in Lockport, NY.
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Rice said Bushong joined the Marines in about 2007 and had excelled, according to the Courant. He served in the Marine Corps Color Guard and participated in the inauguration of President Barack Obama, she said.
WJLA reports that Bushong was due to get out of the Marines soon.
What are your memories of Bushong? Add your thoughts and photos here.
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