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The
War Profiteers - War Crimes, Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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The Killing of an Iraqi Civilian -
Western Baghdad |
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Background - September 5th,
2005 September 8th, 2005 - Memorandum for
Commander, 1st BCT, 10th MTN, Iraq Report
by the U.S. Army (3,1 MB) “[…] The second incident occurred at approximately
0715 (see enclosure F). Vehicle # 2 a white Mercedes-Benz was traveling north
on a side road (see enclosure B) that intersected with MSR [redacted]. A11
and A12 pulled forward and now A11 was able to cover the street that
intersected with MSR [redacted]. SSG [redacted] who was dismounted in front
of A11 first noticed vehicle #2. SSG [redacted] and SPC [redacted] shouted
and used hand hand and arm signals to
get the attention of vehicle # 2’s driver. (see enclosure I & K)[.] When
vehicle #2 was approximately 80 m away, SSG [redacted] fired disabling shot
with his M4 at the vehicle’s grill. (see enclosure 1) Vehicle #2 continued
traveling north towards the inner cordon at a high rate of speed. SPC
[redacted] felt that vehicle #2 was within 30m and dangerously close to his
gun truck (see enclosure K). He then fired a burst from his M240B machine gun
into the front of vehicle #2 which stopped the vehicle from traveling north.
(see enclosure C) SGT [redacted] the medic on the scene came forward and
attempted to first aid on the driver of vehicle #2. At that time he made the
determination that the driver of vehicle #2 was dead. […]” “Discussion: […] The driver of the white Mercedes
did not heed visual warning or a warning shot fired by SSG [redacted]. The
ATF Vehicle Bomb and Evacuation Distance Tables (ATF 1 5400.1 (01-99)) states
a full size sedan has a maximum explosives capacity of 1000 lbs giving it a
lethal air blast range of 38 meters. SSG [redacted] was exposed standing
outside the vehicle and would have been injured by potential fragmentation.
SSG [redacted] and SPC [redacted] both stated that the white Mercedes was
traveling at a high rate of speed. Given the limited resources available to
this investigating officer, I was unable to determine with an degree of
certainty the actual speed which vehicle #2 was traveling. “Assuming the vehicle was moving at 40kph, it was
2.1 seconds from reaching the 30m line or 1.4 seconds from reaching the 38
meter lethal air blast range. Assuming the vehicle was moving at 50kph, it
was 1.7 seconds from reaching the 30m line or 1.1 seconds from reaching the
38 meter lethal air blast range. I believe that given these circumstances, it
is reasonable that SPC [redacted] believehd his life to be in danger and
especially the life of SSG [redacted] who was dismounted at the time
attempting to signal the white Mercedes to stop prior to the warning shot.
Perhaps a review of the set 100m, 50m, 30m EOF standards is necessary to
incorporate factors of METT-TC. A TTP does not apply to all situations.
Soldiers must consider all the variables to include: the threat level, of
vehicle, speed of vehicle, the angle of the sun, dismounted Soldiers and
civilians before making a decision to engage with deadly force. […]” |
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the Second Gulf War/Iraq Invasion II |