The Army Criminal Investigation Command, or CID, is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the brutal New Year's Day murder of a female drill sergeant at Joint Base San Antonio, or JBSA, in Texas.
Staff Sgt. Jessica Ann Mitchell "was shot to death in her vehicle" at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Interstate 10 in San Antonio, according to a CID news release on Thursday. She had been seen 15 minutes earlier at the 4th Quarter Sports Bar, located about 13 miles northwest of the base.
"We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Staff Sgt. Mitchell's senseless murder and are asking the public to come forward if they have any information on this case, regardless of how insignificant it may seem," Chris Grey, an Army spokesman, said in the release.
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Mitchell, who suffered "multiple gunshot wounds," was pronounced dead at approximately 3 a.m. at University Hospital San Antonio on Jan. 1, according to a Jan. 2 base news release.
She had been serving as a drill sergeant at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, or MEDCoE, on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston since August 2019, according to the base news release. Before that, the dental specialist had served at a base dental clinic since October 2017.
MEDCoE Commander Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster said his unit was "devastated by the tragic loss" of Mitchell, who had been on holiday leave at the time of her death, according to the JBSA release.
Mitchell enlisted in January 2009 and went through basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and advanced individual training at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, according to Rob Strain, a JBSA-Sam Houston spokesman.
She served in dental health centers at Fort Polk, Louisiana, from 2009 to 2011; Fort Wainwright, Alaska, from 2011 to 2014; and Vilseck, Germany, from 2014 to 2017 before coming to JBSA.
Mitchell's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (9th Award), Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 2).
Individuals with information about Mitchell's murder can contact the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston CID office at 210-221-1628 or contact their local police department, according to the CID release.
"The payout of cash rewards to military and federal employees for information is contingent upon the accuracy and value of the information provided, and the action taken based upon that information," the CID release states.
-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
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