Tacoma soldier dies in Afghanistan

TACOMA, Wash. — The father of a Tacoma soldier who died in Afghanistan says he died in a training accident.

The Pentagon did not provide details about the death Wednesday of 21-year-old Pfc. Neil I. Turner, saying only on Friday that he died from a non-combat related incident.

He was assigned to a unit from Fort Bliss, Texas — the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

The News Tribune reports his parents, Leland Turner and Charlotte Cox-Turner, left Tacoma Thursday for Dover Air Force Base, Del., for the return of his body.

Leland Turner wrote on Facebook that his son died in a training accident.

About 50 friends held a candlelight vigil Thursday night in the neighborhood where the 2008 Lincoln High School graduate grew up.