A 20-year-old soldier from Zelienople apparently killed himself while on active duty in Asadabad, Afghanistan, an Army chaplain said yesterday.

Pvt. Matthew W. Brown died Sunday of a gunshot wound to the head, said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Mayforth, a chaplain and one of two officers sent by the Army to notify the Brown family of his death. She said the wound appeared to be self-inflicted.

The Defense Department last night issued a statement saying Pvt. Brown died from injuries received in "a non-combat related incident" that was under investigation.

Pvt. Brown graduated from Seneca Valley High School in 2006 and joined the Army soon after, said his father, James W. Brown.

James Brown said his son's unit, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., was deployed to Afghanistan on Dec. 31. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade.

Pvt. Brown was home on leave just two weeks ago, his father said. In an interview yesterday, he said his son loved sports and prided himself on helping people. He volunteered at Jubilee Kitchen in the Hill District before joining the Army, his father said.