The Virginian-Pilot - A Norfolk-based Marine has died in Iraq, the Pentagon announced Saturday.

Cpl. Erik T. Garoutte, 22, of Santee, Calif., died Friday in Baghdad "as a result of unknown causes," said Capt. William Pelletier, a Marine Corps spokesman based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Garoutte was assigned to the 1st Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Norfolk.

Pelletier said Garoutte joined the Marine Corps in November 2005.

After training as an infantry rifleman, he joined 1st FAST Company in July 2006. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal last June, Pelletier said.

His decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Pelletier said he had no additional information about Garoutte's death.

A release from the Department of Defense did not offer any details on the cause of Garoutte's death or the circumstances surrounding it, saying only that the incident is under investigation.