A 20-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier who died Sunday in Iraq was killed when his own rifle fired accidentally, according to his father.

The Army declined to confirm that, citing an ongoing investigation.

A Pentagon news release said Pvt. Sean P. McCune, 20, of Euless, Texas, died in Samarra of “;injuries sustained from a noncombat related incident.”;

The Army told his father, Larry McCune, it appeared that his son was killed when his rifle accidentally discharged, perhaps while he was cleaning it, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Larry McCune told the Texas newspaper, “;I didn't quite understand his desire for a combat role. But you know kids. They make their minds up based on what they know. I talked to him about the risks and rewards and just tried to support him in his decision.”;

The newspaper said Sean McCune's father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in the Air Force, and he did not feel quite up to college yet.

Funeral arrangements for McCune are pending, but his father said he will be buried in Alabama, where his mother lives.

McCune was born June 2, 1988, at Carswell Air Force Base, shortly before his father left the service, the newspaper reported. He was raised in Texas. He moved to be with his mother in Alabama and finished high school there in 2007.

McCune is also survived by mother and stepfather Sandi and Sandy Gibson, sister Amber, stepsister Natasha Gibson and half sister Vicki Gibson.

He had an enormous sweet tooth, having bought $40 worth of candy and consuming most of it while on leave last summer, his sister told the newspaper.

“;You'd never know it by seeing him,”; said sister Amber McCune, 23. “;He was as skinny as they come, but he could eat anybody under the table.”;

McCune, who had enlisted in the Army in April, was assigned in August to the 25th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment. He had been in Iraq for only a month. A memorial service is planned by his unit in Iraq this week.