Monday, June 01, 2009

Little Rock Soldier Murdered, One Wounded at Recruiting Center   [Steve Schippert]

The motive is unknown at present, but two young soldiers were gunned down while standing outside a Little Rock, Arkansas, recruiting center. One of them has died of his wounds. The most complete story so far comes from local KATV coverage. 

Authorities say the incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. at a U.S. Army Navy Career Center inside the Ashley Square Shopping Center at 9112 North Rodney Parham Road. According to Lt. Terry Hastings with the Little Rock Police Department, two enlisted soldiers standing outside the office were hit when the unidentified suspect drove up and began shooting.

Both of the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital, where one of the victims died a short time later, according to police. . . .

Some reports are presuming they were recruiters, but they were not. They were young local soldiers assisting their recruiters in what is called Hometown Recruiting Assistance.

According to Army Lt. Col. Thomas F. Artis, the two victims were not recruiters, but part of a recruiting program called "Hometown Recruiting Assistance." Artis says recruiters use soldiers to tell their stories and talk to potential recruits while they are visiting or based back in their home region.

We do not yet know their names, but service members and veterans alike already offer prayers and condolences to the families.

06/01 03:30 PMShare