- ROBBINS, N.C. - A Fort Bragg
soldier taking part in an exercise off the base was killed and another
was injured in a shooting after a sheriff's deputy stopped them on a rural
road, authorities said. The soldiers were taking part in a role-playing
exercise that is part of the Special Forces Qualification Course, according
to a statement from the Moore County Sheriff's Department.
-
- THE SOLDIERS were carrying weapons, but they do not carry
live ammunition during the exercise, Maj. Richard Patterson of the John
F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School told The Fayetteville
Observer.
-
- "The two soldiers were not in uniform. For various
scenarios within the exercise, that's not uncommon," said a Special
Forces spokesman. "They were going out to do reconnaissance of a
target
that was going to be used for a future mission in the exercise," the
spokesman said.
-
- The newspaper reported that the soldiers were in a
vehicle
that was stopped by Deputy Randall Butler on a rural road northwest of
Robbins on Saturday afternoon. Robbins is about 25 miles from the Fort
Bragg reservation.
-
- The sheriff's department would not comment on why Butler
stopped the vehicle or why he drew his weapon. No charges had been filed
Sunday. Butler was placed on administrative leave with pay.
-
- Sheriff Frank Johnson was out of town and couldn't be
reached by telephone Sunday.
-
- UNDER INVESTIGATION
-
- The soldiers were in a vehicle driven by a civilian who
was playing the role of a resident of a fictitious country, Patterson said.
He wouldn't discuss further details of the incident because it was being
investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation and the Army.
-
- "It was definitely a misunderstanding, but we're
still looking at the procedures and actions taken. We can't lay blame on
anyone right now," said the Special Forces spokesman.
-
- The exercise, known as "Robin Sage," is the
19-day final exam of the Special Forces Qualification Course. It tests
skills in survival, tactics and dealing with people, as well as judgment,
decision-making and ethics.
-
- In previous Robin Sage sessions, law enforcement
officials
have helped the military by setting up road blocks. There was no immediate
indication whether Butler was helping with Saturday's exercise.
-
- Patterson said the names of the dead and wounded soldiers
wouldn't be released until their relatives were notified.
-
- The wounded soldier was listed in serious condition at
FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, according to the
sheriff's
department.
-
- ___
-
- © 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Jake
Gibson of NBC News contributed to this report.
-
- http://www.msnbc.com
|
