Twenty-two-year-old Jonathon Higgins appeared in court Tuesday on a charge of negligent homicide for the death of 20-year-old John Howry. The pair served in the 341st Space Wing Security Forces Squadron stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls.

Court documents state that a witness told police the two men were, quote, "goofing around" at a party Monday evening when Howry took out a knife and said he was going to "shave" Higgins. The witness said Higgins pulled a handgun and fired. Howry died a short time later at a hospital with a wound to his lower abdomen.

Higgins received the Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal in February after an IED struck a Humvee that he was riding in. His injuries included second-degree burns and shrapnel in his right calf.