Service Member kills 4 and Self

OIFDan · 05-11-2009, 08:01

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Defender968 · 05-12-2009, 09:59

Standard MSN can't be bothered to make sure their stories are accurate.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519907,00.html

Quote:

BAGHDAD — A U.S. Army sergeant who had served previously in Iraq is charged with murder and aggravated assault in the deadly shooting of five fellow soldiers at a U.S. military counseling clinic in Baghdad.

Sgt. John M. Russell of the 54th Engineering Battalion based in Bamberg, Germany was charged with five counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault in Monday's shooting, Maj. Gen. David Perkins told reporters.

It was the deadliest case of soldier-on-soldier violence since the Iraq war began in 2003 and has drawn attention to the issue of combat stress and frequent deployments to battle zones.

Russell was taken into custody by military police outside the clinic following the shooting at Camp Liberty, Perkins said.

RAW DATA: Camp Liberty

Perkins said two of the dead were officers — doctors from the Army and Navy — and the others were enlisted personnel seeking treatment at the clinic. He did not identify the victims by name.

He said a probe has also begun into whether the Army has enough mental health facilities in Iraq to care for stress cases.

The U.S. military is coping with a growing number of stress cases among soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan — many of whom are on their third or fourth combat tours. Some studies suggest that about 15 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq suffer from some sort of emotional problems.

Perkins gave few details of the shooting since the investigation is ongoing and added that there were conflicting accounts of what happened.

He said the alleged assailant had been referred to the clinic by his superiors, presumably because of concern over his mental state. Perkins said Russell was "probably" on his third tour of Iraq but was due to leave soon.

Perkins said the assailant's weapon had been taken away. Somehow he got a new weapon, entered the clinic and opened fire, he added.

At the Pentagon, officials said the shooting occurred after the sergeant had been disarmed and turned away from the center but returned with another weapon. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

Related StoriesU.S. Soldier That Killed 5 Had Been Disarmed
President Barack Obama, who visited an adjacent base last month, said in a statement that he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the report.

At the Pentagon, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the shooting occurred "in a place where individuals were seeking help."

"It does speak to me about the need for us to redouble our efforts in terms of dealing with the stress," Mullen said.

Violence has dropped sharply in Iraq since the high point in 2007, but attacks continue, especially in the north.

Also Tuesday, a suicide bomber rammed his car into an Iraqi police truck in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing five policemen and a civilian.

Kirkuk is the center of Iraq's oil production in the north and is contested between its Kurdish, Turkomen and Arab populations.

Thoughts out to the families of the victims,

RIP soldiers.

SeanB · 05-18-2009, 02:32

PFC. Yates was my roommate and a hell of a soldier. He was the youngest of the scouts in my platoon and spoke often of attending selections with me on our nightly runs around the FOB. He was there seeking help due to some issues that happened. Its a shame someone receiving help would end up dieing. The NCO escorting him who was also killed was a hell of a SGT and a great person. We just had our cermony and we will miss them both and the rest of the fallen. Still hard to believe that my roommate..battle buddy.. isnt here due to some weak minded NCO.. i'll stop before my words eat me.

Fiercely Loyal · 05-18-2009, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanB

PFC. Yates was my roommate and a hell of a soldier. He was the youngest of the scouts in my platoon and spoke often of attending selections with me on our nightly runs around the FOB.

I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Remain safe.

Gypsy · 05-18-2009, 17:12

My condolences SeanB, I'm so sorry for your loss.

May they all Rest in Peace.

**Team Sergeant** · 05-18-2009, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanB

isnt here due to some weak minded NCO.. i'll stop before my words eat me.

John M. Russell quit being an Army Sergeant when he pointed a loaded weapon at another American soldier. In that moment he became a gutless, spineless, coward that should not be allowed to return to America to stand trial. Instead he should be hung immediately, his body disposed of in some cesspool and his name stricken from all military records.

Team Sergeant

SF_BHT · 05-18-2009, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

John M. Russell quit being an Army Sergeant when he pointed a loaded weapon at another American soldier. In that moment he became a gutless, spineless, coward that should not be allowed to return to America to stand trial. Instead he should be hung immediately, his body disposed of in some cesspool and his name stricken from all military records.

Team Sergeant

Spot ON
We should dispose of this scum and forget he was even there......

afchic · 05-19-2009, 11:03

The sad thing is his lawyers will probably try and use the "diminished capacity" defense.

How many have served multiple tours, and have not killed another soldier because of it? The left wing nut jobs will use this as another means for ensuring everyone who serves in uniform, who has been over to the AOR, is seen as mentally unstable and therfore a threat.

**Team Sergeant** · 05-19-2009, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by afchic

The sad thing is his lawyers will probably try and use the "diminished capacity" defense.

How many have served multiple tours, and have not killed another soldier because of it? The left wing nut jobs will use this as another means for ensuring everyone who serves in uniform, who has been over to the AOR, is seen as mentally unstable and therfore a threat.

I've no doubt he'll use PTSD as a defense.

The really sad part is that America has come to expect that sort of defense.....

Even worse, that scumbag would have never returned from Korea or WWII had he done something like this..... we are now a nation of sheeple.

TS

greenberetTFS · 05-19-2009, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

John M. Russell quit being an Army Sergeant when he pointed a loaded weapon at another American soldier. In that moment he became a gutless, spineless, coward that should not be allowed to return to America to stand trial. Instead he should be hung immediately, his body disposed of in some cesspool and his name stricken from all military records.

Team Sergeant

What a disgrace this a**hole has given to the guys that have put in 3 and 4 tours of duty and have their s**t together.................

RIP, Warriors.................

GB TFS

abc_123 · 05-19-2009, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I've no doubt he'll use PTSD as a defense.

The really sad part is that America has come to expect that sort of defense.....

Even worse, that scumbag would have never returned from Korea or WWII had he done something like this..... we are now a nation of sheeple.

TS

Since he was unfortunately captured alive, the only real course of action should be try and execute him in Iraq. THe only way he should only make it out of Iraq in a coffin.

AngelsSix · 05-19-2009, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

John M. Russell quit being an Army Sergeant when he pointed a loaded weapon at another American soldier. In that moment he became a gutless, spineless, coward that should not be allowed to return to America to stand trial. Instead he should be hung immediately, his body disposed of in some cesspool and his name stricken from all military records.

Team Sergeant

Here, Here!!

05-19-2009, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I've no doubt he'll use PTSD as a defense.

The really sad part is that America has come to expect that sort of defense.....

Even worse, that scumbag would have never returned from Korea or WWII had he done something like this..... we are now a nation of sheeple.

TS

Defense??? That is IF he is deemed competent to stand trial.
If he is not, he will be given an all expense paid vacation in a comfy
Pysch ward courtesy of us,the taxpayers. Until such time, if ever, he is deemed competent to stand trial. That is if he ever does...

05-20-2009, 00:28

remain safe, know you are not alone, you and the rest of your team will be in our thoughts. It will take some time, but this too shall pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanB

PFC. Yates was my roommate and a hell of a soldier. He was the youngest of the scouts in my platoon and spoke often of attending selections with me on our nightly runs around the FOB. He was there seeking help due to some issues that happened. Its a shame someone receiving help would end up dieing. The NCO escorting him who was also killed was a hell of a SGT and a great person. We just had our cermony and we will miss them both and the rest of the fallen. Still hard to believe that my roommate..battle buddy.. isnt here due to some weak minded NCO.. i'll stop before my words eat me.

**The Reaper** · 05-20-2009, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanB

PFC. Yates was my roommate and a hell of a soldier. He was the youngest of the scouts in my platoon and spoke often of attending selections with me on our nightly runs around the FOB. He was there seeking help due to some issues that happened. Its a shame someone receiving help would end up dieing. The NCO escorting him who was also killed was a hell of a SGT and a great person. We just had our cermony and we will miss them both and the rest of the fallen. Still hard to believe that my roommate..battle buddy.. isnt here due to some weak minded NCO.. i'll stop before my words eat me.

Sorry for your loss, especially in such a senseless manner.

Prayers out.

TR