Soldier involved in live-fire incident identified 

Above image: Corporal (Cpl) James Choi lost his life on Oct. 31, 2020. Images courtesy of Canadian Armed Forces. 

The Canadian Armed Forces has identified Corporal (Cpl) James Choi, a member of the Royal Westminster Regiment, based in New Westminster, B.C. as the soldier who lost his life in the Oct. 30, 2020, live-fire incident. 

Cpl James Choi died on October 31, 2020, due to a gunshot wound sustained while training at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright.

The incident occurred on Oct. 30, 2020, at 10 p.m. in the CFB Wainwright training area, noted a statement from the Department of National Defence.

“The Canadian Armed Forces mourns the loss of Cpl James Choi. He represented Canada with honour, dedicating himself to his profession. We grieve alongside his family, friends and comrades,” said Chief of the Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance in a press release. 

“The loss of Cpl James Choi, a dedicated, hard-working and highly-respected soldier, is devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers at this most difficult time. The entire Canadian Army family grieves with his loved ones and will support them in any way they need,” Canadian Army Commander Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre. 

Cpl Choi joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2016 and was a trained infantry soldier. At the time of the incident, Cpl Choi had augmented 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, for a fall continuation training exercise that focuses on core light infantry skills. He was 29 years old.

Cpl Choi and his fellow soldiers were conducting a live-fire training exercise when the incident occurred. Cpl Choi was treated at the scene and evacuated to a nearby hospital in Wainwright, Alta. 

He was then transported by air to a hospital in Edmonton, Alta where he succumbed to the injury on the morning of Oct. 31.

“The loss of Cpl James Choi, a dedicated, hard-working and highly-respected soldier, is devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers at this most difficult time. The entire Canadian Army family grieves with his loved ones and will support them in any way they need,” Canadian Army Commander Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre. 

The incident remains under investigation.