The brother of a U.S. Marine who died during last year’s military withdrawal from Afghanistan reportedly committed suicide during his sibling’s recent memorial service.
Dakota Halverson, 28, died on August 9. He was the older brother of Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20, from Norco, California, who was one of the 13 military members killed by a suicide bomber outside the Kabul airport on August 26, 2021.
“The older brother of one of the 13 KIA in Kabul recently killed himself at his little brother’s memorial,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) tweeted on Saturday.
“Please pray for his family. There MUST be accountability for this continued carnage,” he added.
The congressman also promoted a GoFundMe fundraiser set up to cover funeral expenses for Halverson.
“Dakota Halverson was a loving son, brother and friend. Losing his brother nearly one year ago has proven too difficult to bear,” the description reads.
“Any donations for his burial and services would be greatly appreciated as he wanted to be buried next to his brother Kareem,” their mother, Shana Chappell, added. “His family and I want to honor his wishes.”
As of Sunday, more than $22,000 in donations had been raised.
Chappell has been an outspoken critic of the Biden administration’s exit from Afghanistan. Following the death of her Marine son, she invited former President Donald Trump to the funeral in a Facebook post.
“I would love if somehow my President (you Mr. Trump) could be present as i lay my Beautiful baby boy Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui to rest.”
“It would be such an honor to meet the real President of the United States of America, President Trump,” she continued. “I love you and America loves you.”
The Marine’s father, Steve Nikoui, shared words regarding his lost son during an interview following the Kabul bombing.
“He really loved that [Marine Corps] family,” Nikoui’s father said of his son, according to the Daily Beast. “He was devoted — he was going to make a career out of this, and he wanted to go. No hesitation for him to be called to duty.”
The Kabul bombing became a point of contention again in March when President Joe Biden failed to mention the Fallen 13 during his State of the Union address to Americans.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) blasted Biden over the issue.
“To the 13 American families who lost loved ones in Afghanistan in August, you deserved to be recognized by the President tonight,” McCarthy wrote on Twitter. “Americans remember your sacrifice, and we are forever indebted to you.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free hotline for individuals in crisis or distress or for those looking to help someone else. It is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.