None of them were in prayer. Shortly after the car bomb went off. A sgt ordered "the nearest homes to be searched". The first house they entered was a terrified family. The woman and children in the house attempted to protect a 76 y/o man. They were all shot. No arms were found. They went in the next house and the same thing happened. The 2nd house contained less people, but still woman and children. No arms were found. the 3rd house contained 4 men. They were arrested and one rifle was found.
Prior to any of this, no shots were fired at the Marines. The car that was shot up contained college students returning home. They turned the corner, saw the burning vehicle and Marines and threw it into reverse. The vehicle was shot full of holes and they all died. No arms were found.
The initial reports said the 15 were killed in the blast. that was changed to, they were killed after a firefight. They claimed they were ambused after the car bomb went off. that was proven false.
You've been privvy to the investigation, then, eh?
I guarantee you, the media reports I have read about this incident - have described some of these victims as "kneeling, as if in paryer". the articles are on FR, I don't have time to find them right now.
as far as the guys in the taxi go - tough sh*t. if an IED or a car bomb goes off in the area, and you approach in another car and take even the slightest action that might be deemed aggressive - I'd blow that car to hell too before losing my legs or my life.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1640418/posts
"One photograph shows an Iraqi mother and young child, kneeling on the floor as if in prayer."
this is the way the media is spinning it over and over again. a body, on the floor after being shot at close range, is perfectly setup and photographed as "kneeling in prayer".