Thursday, September 18, 2008

Soldier accused of killing two others in Iraq

A 3rd Infantry Division soldier is being accused to killing two others in Iraq earlier this week.

Third ID commander Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, has issued a statement Wednesday on the non-combat deaths of two Marne soldiers in Iraq.

Cucolo said, ""This is a tragic and senseless loss of two professional soldiers and NCOs, who were also husbands and fathers.

“There are some things we know right now, and there are some things we do not know.

“We do know one soldier, a fellow noncommissioned officer, allegedly opened fire and mortally wounded his squad leader and fellow team leader.

“We do know other soldiers arriving on the scene acted heroically, subduing the shooter and providing immediate medical attention to the two wounded NCOs.

“We do know medical personnel fought hard to save both mortally wounded soldiers.

“We also know the accused is in custody —— in control of military authorities in theater for now —— and the investigation is under way.

“And again, we also know we lost two professionals, two husbands, two fathers.

“What we do not know are the specific details of what happened or why. As the wheels of military justice turn, we will have more information on these two key questions that are on all of our minds."

The Department of Defense identified the dead soldiers as Staff Sgt. Darris J. Dawson, 24, of Pensacola, Fla., and Sgt. Wesley R. Durbin, 26, of Hurst, Texas.

They were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID.

The incident is still under investigation.
http://www.coastalcourier.com/news/article/8539

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