October 11. 2006 6:23AM

Death of Marine from California under investigation

The Associated Press

A U.S. Marine died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot would at a training area on the Big Island, the Marine Corps announced Tuesday.

Lance Cpl. Richard Noyola, 21, of Ventura, Calif., was fatally wounded Sunday at an administrative camp site at the Pohakuloa Training Area, said 1st Lt. Binford Strickland of Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay.

The shooting, which remained under investigation, occurred the day after live-fire training ended, Strickland said.

Noyola was a rifleman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Strickland said.

Maj. Jeffrey Holt, executive officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, said the loss of Noyola was tragic, "but we remain committed to training our Marines and sailors for the challenging deployment ahead."

Noyola joined the Marine Corps in January 2005 and reported to Hawaii in July 2005. He is survived by his mother and father.

Ellie