Camp Liberty killings
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 Camp Liberty
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The Camp Liberty killings occurred on May 11, 2009, at military counseling clinic at Camp Liberty, Iraq. Sgt. John M. Russell, 44, of the 54th Engineer Battalion based at Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Germany, was taken into custody and charged with five counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault against soldiers—including those from the 55th Medical Company, according to Major General David Perkins (a spokesman for the U.S. Army forces).
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[edit] Killings
Russell had been in a fight at the clinic. Officials have said that he was being escorted from the clinic when he allegedly stole a weapon from a fellow soldier, drove back to the clinic, and opened fire. He has been charged with five counts of murder, and one count of aggravated assault.[1][2]
It was at the time the worst killing in the Iraq War against U.S. forces perpetrated by a fellow American.
[edit] White House statement
President Barack Obama, in a White House statement, said he would speak to Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the matter, and that he was profoundly saddened by the news and determined to understand why it may have happened in order to do everything possible to make sure it never happened again.
[edit] Report
A report was issued in October 2009. Stars and Stripes summarized the report: "Despite years of emphasis on mental health issues, commanders in Iraq lack the necessary tools, training and guidance to deal with at-risk soldiers, according to an Army investigation into mental health services."[3]
[edit] Soldiers killed
- Commander Charles K. Springle, 55th Medical Company [4]
- Major Matthew P. Houseal, 55th Medical Company [5]
- Sergeant Christian E. Bueno-Galdos, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade [6]
- Specialist Jacob D. Barton, 277th Engineer Company, 420th Engineer Brigade [7]
- Private First Class Michael E. Yates Jr. 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade [8]
[edit] See also
- 2003 Camp Pennsylvania attack
- 2005 Deaths of Phillip Esposito and Louis Allen
- 2007 Fort Dix attack plot
- 2009 Fort Hood shooting
- 2009 Lloyd R. Woodson case—Arrested with military-grade illegal weapons he intended to use in a violent crime, and a detailed map of the Fort Drum military installation
[edit] References
- ^ Soldier charged in deaths of 5 U.S. troops
- ^ Slayings spotlight stress on combat
- ^ McCloskey, Megan. "Inquiry into Iraq stress clinic shooting reveals institutional failures" October 16, 2009 http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=65452
- ^ http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/CharlesKSpringle
- ^ http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/MatthewPHouseal
- ^ http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/ChristianEBuenoGaldos
- ^ http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/JacobDBarton
- ^ http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/MichaelEYates
[edit] External links
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