DND OTTAWA, Ontario — Corporal Kevin Megeney, a Reserve member of the 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North), serving at Kandahar Airfield, succumbed to a gunshot wound shortly after 7 p.m. Kandahar time today.

Corporal Megeney was 25 years of age. No further details are available at this time regarding the circumstances surrounding this incident, although enemy action has been ruled out, since the incident occurred within the secure confines of Kandahar Airfield.

The Joint Task Force, Afghanistan's National Investigation Service Detachment is investigating this incident.

"My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond and I were grieved to hear of the incident that took the life of Corporal Kevin Megeney, a Reserve member of the 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North). We salute Corporal Megeney's commitment and devotion to duty. We also honour our soldiers' families, who understand the importance of fighting for this cause, in which we all have the greatest hope," said Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

"On behalf of all Canadians, we offer our sincere condolences to Corporal Megeney's family and friends."

The soldier, Corporal. Kevin Megeney, was shot in the chest, the family told CBC News on Tuesday.

Corporal Kevin Megeney, shown in an undated photo, was a 25-year-old reservist from Stellarton, N.S., who volunteered to go to Afghanistan in the fall of 2006.

(DND) The Defence Department would only confirm that Megeney died of a gunshot wound shortly after 7 p.m. local time.

"Enemy action has been ruled out, since the incident occurred within the secure confines of Kandahar airfield," the Defence Department said in a news release.

Military officials are investigating the incident, the release said.

The 25-year-old, a reservist from Stellarton, volunteered to go to Afghanistan in the fall as part of the militia with 1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders.