The Army has charged two Third Infantry Division soldiers with murder under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, according to Army officials.

Sgt. Shaquille Craig, 24, of Salem, Ala., and Spc. Phillip E. Thompson Jr., 24, of Warner Robins are accused of murdering two soldiers at an apartment in Hinesville on March 5.

The victims were Pvt. Malika D. Jackson, 21, of Foley, Ala., who served as a tank mechanic. Jackson joined the Army in May 2016 and arrived at Fort Stewart in October 2016.

The second victim was Spc. Marquez S. Brown, 23, of Macon, who served as a wheeled-vehicle driver. Brown joined the Army in October 2014 and arrived at Fort Stewart in April 2016.

Jackson and Brown were found inside Brown’s townhome on Rebecca Street.

In April both co-defendants were denied bond in Liberty County Superior Court.

During Thompson’s civilian preliminary hearing, Hinesville Police Department Detective Jeff Lui testified Thompson drove Craig to the townhome and was inside Brown’s residence when Craig shot the soldiers.

Police had reported there was a party at Brown’s home the night before the men were found dead. Lui said that Craig’s estranged wife attended the party with Jackson. Craig did not attend, but learned his wife was there with Jackson. Lui said it appears that Jackson had started having a relationship with Craig’s wife.

The married couple had been separated but were not yet divorced.

Testimony revealed that Craig asked Thompson to meet him in the parking lot of the Live Oak Library in Hinesville. Thompson said Craig walked up to his vehicle and appeared to be carrying a gun at his waist covered by his shirt.

Craig told Thompson that he had followed Jackson back to Brown’s townhome and that Jackson, “has got to go.”

Thompson said Craig then laid out the plan.

Thompson went to Brown’s home and pretended he had attended the party the night before but left something behind.

Brown let Thompson enter his home, closed the door behind him but left it unlocked.

That is allegedly when Craig came in, shot both men twice and also stabbed Jackson in the throat. The knife was still lodged in Jackson’s throat when police arrived.

Lui said Thompson told investigators that Craig said, “Brown was just a witness we had to get rid of.”

Thompson later helped Craig dispose of the gun and soiled clothing, according to Lui.

Both deceased soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.