Riverside marine dies in Iraq

A U.S. Marine from Riverside was killed in Baghdad, but Pentagon officials have not confirmed the circumstances.

Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal, 19, died in what was described only as a “non- combat-related incident,” according to a Department of Defense statement.

Neal was a mortarman, assigned to the artillery section of the Seventh Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. He joined the Marine Corps in July 2013 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton prior to deploying overseas earlier this year, according to Marine Staff Sgt. Terika King.

She told City News Service, a KESQ and CBS Local 2 wire service , that Neal was part of a Marine Expeditionary Force mission that began in 2012 and was “not part of a response to the ISIS threat” which has resulted in U.S.-led air strikes in Iraq and Syria.

Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside issued a statement mourning Neal’s death, but praising his military service.

“I’m deeply saddened to learn about the death of Lance Cpl. Sean Neal in Iraq,” Takano said. “Neal’s dedication to serving our country is admirable and I know that all Inland Empire residents will join me in honoring his memory. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”