"The US Army claimed the Italians' vehicle had been seen as a threat because it was travelling at speed and failed to stop at the checkpoint despite warning shots being fired by the soldiers. A State Department official in Washington said the Italians had failed to inform the military of Sgrena's release. "
Regrettable accident, but why didn't the Italians inform the US after they freed the journalist and why didn't they stop, when Americans wanted them to stop -- I expect it was clear that they were American soldiers.
An unmarked vehicle with local plates travels at a high rate of speed towards the airport and refuses to stop at the US military checkpoint. What did they think was going to happen?