Calif. Marine's death investigated as homicide

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Military authorities say a Camp Pendleton Marine is suspected in the death of a fellow Marine whose body was found in his barracks over the weekend.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service spokesman Ed Buice tells the North County Times (http://bit.ly/s3rUVA ) that 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Mario Arias Jr. was "the apparent victim of a homicide."

Buice says the suspect was found outside the barracks early Sunday where he had jumped from a third-floor balcony. Buice says that Marine was treated for injuries. His name has not been released.

NCIS says Arias, of Canoga Park, Calif., was an air crew trainee from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Arias enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 23, 2010. He was later awarded the National Defense Service Medal.