Kayshawn Wilkerson Obituary, Death, Coroner: 18-year-old recruit dies by self-inflicted gunshot at Naval Station Great Lakes

Kayshawn Wilkerson Obituary, Death – An 18-year-old sailor stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Friday. The tragic incident took place Wednesday afternoon at the Navy’s primary training facility in North Chicago, Illinois.

According to officials, the Naval Station Great Lakes Police Department and Fire Department responded to an emergency call around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday regarding a reported gunshot victim at the base’s firing range. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Seaman Recruit Kayshawn Wilkerson with a severe head injury caused by a gunshot.

Wilkerson, a recruit assigned to the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that he was originally from Ocala, Florida. The Lake County Coroner’s Office reported that preliminary autopsy results determined the cause of death to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Naval Station Great Lakes released a statement on Friday expressing deep sorrow over the loss. “We are saddened to confirm the death of Seaman Recruit, Kayshawn Wilkerson, a recruit assigned to Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois, on Aug. 6, 2025,” the statement read. The Navy added that it is providing “full support to the family, friends, and shipmates affected by this tragic loss.” Officials also emphasized that an investigation is ongoing and that no additional details will be provided at this time to respect the family’s privacy and protect the integrity of the investigative process.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Lake County Coroner’s Office are working together to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators are expected to review evidence from the firing range, interview potential witnesses, and evaluate Wilkerson’s recent activities and well-being in the days leading up to his death.

Naval Station Great Lakes serves as the Navy’s only boot camp, training thousands of enlisted recruits each year. The Recruit Training Command plays a critical role in preparing sailors for service, making the loss of a trainee deeply felt across the base’s close-knit military community.

While the Navy has not released further details about the events preceding the shooting, the death of a young sailor at such an early stage of his career has prompted a strong response from leadership, who are focused on ensuring support services are available to grieving personnel. Mental health resources and counseling are expected to be offered to Wilkerson’s fellow recruits and others impacted by the tragedy.

The death marks a somber moment for the Great Lakes facility, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health concerns within the armed forces. As the investigation proceeds, the Navy and NCIS aim to gather a full understanding of the incident and determine if any additional measures could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For now, Wilkerson’s family, friends, and shipmates are left mourning the sudden loss of a young sailor whose service to the nation had only just begun.