Soldier in Iraq held in deaths of 2 unit members

[sabra]

Source: AP

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A soldier was detained in Iraq after he allegedly opened fire on a superior and another unit member, killing them both, the Army said Wednesday.

The soldier was subdued by other troops, and medics tried unsuccessfully to save the wounded soldiers, said Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo, commanding general at Fort Stewart in southern Georgia, where the soldiers' unit is based.

An Army spokesman said the shooting happened Sunday in Tunnis, Iraq. The slain soldiers and the alleged shooter, whose name was not released, belong to the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division.

The Army identified the slain soldiers as Staff Sgt. Darris J. Dawson, 24, of Pensacola, Fla., and Sgt. Wesley R. Durbin, 26, of Dallas. Both were assigned to the brigade's 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment.

"We also know the accused is in custody — in control of military authorities in theater for now — and the investigation is under way," Cucolo said in a release that gave few other details.

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9jGz2bZAt0OwHwPeV3eAnoAiKFwD938SMI80

[billyoc]

1. Lieberman can cite this as evidence when he kvetches about his surgeSuccess vote.

[Crowman1979]

2. Either another ignored PTSD case or evidence that crime waivers are a bad idea.

[OnyxCollie]

3. Or he may have refused to obey an illegal order.

Soldiers have been ordered by their superiors to plant evidence near dead civilians to cover up murders. I can't remember where that happened. Haditha, perhaps?

While not the smartest course of action, it's more effective than a strongly-worded letter.