Pentagon Shootings Suspect Had Nothing Against Marines: Lawyer

The lawyer for an ex-Marine accused of firing potshots at the Pentagon and other military targets said his client does not have a grievance against the Corps.

Yonathan Melaku, 22, is charged in federal court with a series of overnight shootings beginning in October at targets including the Marine Corps museum in Quantico. He was arrested last month after police spotted him in Arlington National Cemetery after dark acting suspiciously.

Melaku appeared Wednesday at a pretrial hearing in Leesburg on unrelated state charges for larceny.

After the hearing his attorney Robert May said he believes Melaku was happy in his service as a Marine reserve but declined further comment on the federal charges.


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