US: Bales went on two shooting sprees

[Enrique]

Source: CBS News

AP) WASHINGTON - American officials say U.S. investigators now believe the U.S. soldier accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians split the slaughter into two episodes - returning to his base after the first attack and later slipping away to kill again.

This scenario seems to support the U.S. government's assertion — contested by some Afghans — that the killings were done by one person, since they would have been perpetrated over a longer period of time than assumed when Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was detained March 11.

But it also raises questions about how Bales, who was formally charged with premeditated murder, could have carried out the slaughter without drawing attention from others on the American base in Kandahar province.

The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57403946/u.s.-bales-went-on-2-shooting-sprees/

[PSPS]

1. This "version" is even more fantastic than the first

Sure, Bales, who has part of one foot missing, walks 1.5 km to the first village, evading all the security at his FOB and also carrying all the weapons, ammunition and fuel to burn bodies, then either walks an additional 1 km to the next village (original version) or walks back to the base to then proceed over 1 km to the second village again evading security and carrying another arsenal (this new version,) and then walk back to the base. And all of this in about an hour.

We used to make fun of Soviet-era Pravda when they'd publish things like this.

[Bohunk68]

2. So, are you suggesting that

the Afghani story about a whole company may be correct?

[denverbill]

3. That's 1.5 miles total. That's not exactly a marathon.

I walk 1.5 miles on a treadmill for my lunchtime workout and it takes 25 minutes. I don't think the distances involved are particularly incredible.

It's a bit more puzzling how he seems to be let on and off the base like that though. I wouldn't think anyone would be allowed off base alone, especially at night, in a hostile country.

[Trailrider1951]

6. Nope, check your math

1 km = 0.6 mile
1.5 km = 0.6 * 1.5 = 0.9 mile

He walked a bit under a mile.

[denverbill]

8. The previous poster said 1.5 km to the first village and another 1km to the 2nd village.

2.5km * .6 = 1.5 mi

[Blue_Tires]

7. There can be no hint or perception that this was anything other than ONE loose, deranged cannon

The Haditha thing was hard enough to cover up

[kiranon]

4. Find it hard to believe he went out twice. Where was he in between

times? And, supposedly he was very drunk? How far away were the villages and didn't anyone hear the gunfire at the first village? Wouldn't the survivors call for help? Need more information because as it stands now it doesn't seem probable at all.

[morningfog]

5. Yet, no one stopped him. Strange.