Arlington Man Dies in Afghanistan

The Department of Defense announced the death of Lance Cpl. Niall W. Coti-Sears, 23, of Arlington on Tuesday morning.

Coti-Sears died in Afghanistan on Saturday "while conducting combat operations in Helmand province," according to a press statement released by the Pentagon.

A spokeswoman said information about when Coti-Sears' remains will be brought home or when services will be held has not been released yet.

According to the Military Times, this was Coti-Sears' first deployment to Afghanistan since he enlisted in December 2008. "His military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon."