U.S. Army to Investigate Killing of Iraqi Boy
Tue Apr 15, 4:28 PM ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A senior U.S. military officer said on Tuesday he would launch an investigation into the killing by U.S. soldiers of an Iraqi boy after allegations came to light that he had been unarmed and posed no threat.
"I'll assign an investigative officer who will investigate the incident and make recommendations," said Col. Joseph Anderson, the commander of the Second Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division.
The shooting took place after U.S. forces had come under fire on the outskirts of the city of Kerbala on Saturday, April 5, according to military sources. U.S. soldiers then shot dead six Iraqis they said had been armed or reaching for weapons.
The boy, estimated to have been between 12 and 15 years old, was killed around the same time. But several soldiers have said he was not part of the armed group and had simply been riding a bicycle in the area, according to military sources.
"We'll do an investigation so we can understand the facts and circumstances around the incident," Anderson said.
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