This story originally published on Saturday, April 9.
The Air Force has identified the two airmen killed in Friday's apparent murder-suicide shooting at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
Lt. Col. William A. Schroeder, the commander of the 342nd Training Squadron at the 37th Training Wing at Lackland, and Technical Sgt. Steven D. Bellino, a pararescue student at the 342nd, were found dead by first responders, the 502nd Air Base Wing at Lackland said in a Saturday release.
An Air Force official said that Bellino is believed to be the alleged gunman.
"The 37th Training Wing mourns the loss of our airmen and family members," wing commander Brig. Gen. Trent Edwards said in the release. "Our primary focus at this time is to take care of the family and the men and women who are grieving our losses. A tragedy of this type is felt by each and every member, but we will pull together to help our own."
In a post on the 37th's official Facebook page, Edwards eulogized Schroeder.
"I worked closely with Lt Col Schroeder; and my wife Vanessa and I knew his family," Edwards said on Facebook. "He was an amazing Airman, father and husband. Our focus at this time is to take care of Lt Col Schroeder's family who is here in the local area. He leaves behind a wife and two small children — we will care for and comfort them as best we can. We will also take care of the family members and friends who are grieving the loss of TSgt Bellino."
Edwards said the Air Force is investigating the deaths with FBI support, and asked people not to speculate on social media about what happened.
"It's simply unfair to the family members and friends who are grieving and searching for answers," Edwards said.
The 342nd is the squadron dedicated to entry-level training for all battlefield airmen, such as pararescuemen, combat controllers, special operations weather airmen, and Tactical Air Control Party airmen. The shooting took place in a first-floor office in building 147 of the Medina Annex at Lackland.
Bellino, 41, of Parma Heights, Ohio, had been a 1T2 pararescueman student at the 342nd since he entered active duty in June 2015, according to information released by the Air Force.
Schroeder, 39, of Ames, Iowa, had run the 342nd since May 2014. Schroeder, whose primary career field was as a J15W3 weather officer, previously was commander of the 10th Combat Weather Squadron at Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Schroeder entered active duty in July 1999 and had earned a Bronze Star, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and three Meritorious Service Medals, according to the Air Force.
Attempts to reach the families of the deceased were unsuccessful.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
