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May 13, 2009

Army Sgt. Charged for Killing of 5 Comrades
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In Iraq, an Army sergeant has been charged in Monday’s killing of five
other American service members at a military base near Baghdad. Sergeant
John Russell faces five counts of premeditated murder and one count of
aggravated assault. Military spokesperson Major General David Perkins
said Russell had previously had his gun taken away and had opened fire
at a clinic where he’d been urged to receive counseling.

Maj. Gen. David Perkins: “The commander of the suspect, that being
Sergeant Russell, had taken his weapon away. He had experienced or had
been referred to counseling approximately the week beforehand. And
through that process, his commander had determined that it would be best
for him not to have a weapon. The suspect was apprehended outside the
clinic shortly after shots were heard.”

Russell is on his third tour of duty in Iraq.



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