A 20-year-old soldier from Zelienople died of a gunshot wound while on guard duty in Afghanistan, his father said today.

Pfc. Matthew Brown had been in Afghanistan about four months, said the father, James W. Brown.

The Army notified him of his son's death yesterday, but exactly what happened was unclear. Mr. Brown said he was to receive more details from the Army later today.

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

Stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., Pfc. Brown deployed to Afghanistan on Dec. 31.

James Brown said his son was home on leave just two weeks ago. He said his son loved sports and prided himself on helping others. Before joining the Army, Pfc. Brown volunteered at a soup kitchen in Pittsburgh, his father said.

He also is survived by his mother, Sandy Evans, and a sister, Julia Ann Brown, 18.