Posted on 02/24/2002 8:50:08 PM PST by mdittmar
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.
The Moore County Sheriff’s Department was NOT using
profiling, nor did it's use have anything to do with this most
unfortunate incident.
Ain't that right, Mr. Diallo?
I couldn't have put it better myself. #$%#,##%$$%,%%$#!!!
This is tragic. It apears that as for survival skills, they did not qualify.
On who's part?
Seems to me (based on the limited info) that the military is to blame. Sending non-uniformed soldiers to perform exercises in civilian areas.
Maybe the deputy wasn't clued in and didn't want to play dead.
Investigators Have More Questions Than Answers in Moore County ShootingPOSTED: 11:20 p.m. EST February 24, 2002
Authorities are still investigating a shooting involving a Moore County sheriff's deputy that left one Fort Bragg solider dead and another in serious condition.
The soldiers were involved in a Special Forces training mission called Robin Sage that usually includes civilians and local law enforcement.
The soldiers were in a car that was driven by a civilian participant in the exercise. Deputy Sheriff Randall Butler pulled them over for a traffic stop and something went wrong. Deputy Butler shot both soldiers, killing one of them.
Army officials say it was a tragic case of mistaken identity and a breakdown in communications. They say the sheriff's department wasn't informed of the specifics of yesterday afternoon's operation. Army officials say the soldiers in yesterday's mission weren't doing anything that would normally attract police attention. The Moore County Sheriff's Office was not available for comment.
Deputy Butler has been placed on administrative leave.
The word "unprofessional" comes to mind.
The exercise is called Robin Sage - It is the "final exam" of the SF Q course. The mission of SF is to work, behind the lines, in civilian areas. That is why it is conducted off-post. There is a longstanding tradition of helping in the exercise among the locals in the area, including not just law enforcement personnel, but virtually everyone.
Without exercises like it, we would not have had the superb performance by Special Forces troops in Afghanistan.
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