A Royal Artillery officer has been killed during a live-fire training exercise in Northumberland, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on Sunday, January 25, during tactical training with live ammunition at Otterburn Training Area.
The MoD said: “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the death of Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery on January 25, 2026.”
Capt Muldowney served as a Fire Support Team Commander in 129 (Dragon) Battery.
The government department added: “Our thoughts are with Captain Muldowney’s family and friends at this sad time.”
His death marks the second fatal shooting at the Northumberland range in a decade.
The incident occurred at approximately 8pm during a night-time exercise alongside elite Scots Guards.
Capt Muldowney was reportedly struck in the back while troops were using night vision goggles and SA80 assault rifles to engage pop-up targets.
Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney was pronounced dead earlier this month
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MOD
Fellow soldiers administered emergency medical treatment at the scene, but he died before paramedics could reach the remote range.
The metal and wooden targets used in such exercises are designed to fall when struck by rounds.
Troops typically wear infrared patches visible through night vision equipment to distinguish themselves from the human-shaped targets.
A source indicated all personnel involved were wearing bulletproof Virtus body armour and kevlar helmets.
The Royal Artillery officer was killed during a live-fire training exercise at Otterburn Training Area
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NORTHUMBERLAND NATIONAL PARK
It is believed Capt Muldowney was hit in an unprotected area.
Capt Muldowney was enlisted in 2020 and received his commission into the Royal Artillery in December that year after completing training at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.
He excelled during the Young Officers’ Course at the Royal School of Artillery, earning recognition for his sharp intellect and resilience under pressure.
Following his initial training, he deployed to Estonia in 2021 as part of Operation Cabrit, defending NATO’s eastern flank.
He subsequently served as an instructor at the Army Training Foundation College in Winchester from 2023, where hundreds of personnel benefited from his guidance.
In 2024, he joined 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and began the All-Arms Commando Course at Lympstone in 2025, although a serious injury forced him to pause his attempt.
After his recovery, he completed the Fire Support Team Commanders’ Course and joined 4th Regiment Royal Artillery last September.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Waller, described him as “an outstanding officer who consistently put his soldiers first”.
“He led from the front in all that he did, a quality that defined his character,” Lt Col Waller said. “His leadership, courage, and sense of duty earned him the respect and admiration of all who served alongside him.”
Major Martin Simms, Battery Commander of 129 (Dragon) Battery, said Capt Muldowney’s “relentless professionalism couched in a cheerful and charismatic personality made him the perfect Officer”.
Captain Helen Brackenbury, a fellow officer, remembered him as “a truly kind person, highly competent and endearingly joyful”.
She added: “It has been the pleasure of my career to have served alongside him, and I consider myself very lucky to have been his friend.”
The Defence Accident Investigation Branch has opened an inquiry into the fatal incident.
According to The Sun, eight soldiers were divided into two groups, with one team advancing in an assault role while the other provided covering fire.
The shooting occurred just minutes after the live-fire drill commenced.
A source said: “He got shot just a couple of minutes into the training exercise. He died before the ambulance got there.”
The tragedy echoes a similar incident at Otterburn in 2016, when Private Conor McPherson, 24, of the Black Watch regiment, was fatally shot in the head during a night exercise.
An investigation into that death found he had been mistaken for a target by soldiers operating in darkness, citing inadequate planning and supervision.
The Health and Safety Executive criticised the MoD in 2024, stating death was preventable.