WP: Blackwater Guards Fired at Fleeing Cars, Soldiers Say

[Coexist]

BAGHDAD, Oct. 11 -- Blackwater USA guards shot at Iraqi civilians as they tried to drive away from a Baghdad square on Sept. 16, according to a report compiled by the first U.S. soldiers to arrive at the scene, where they found no evidence that Iraqis had fired weapons.

"It appeared to me they were fleeing the scene when they were engaged. It had every indication of an excessive shooting," said Lt. Col. Mike Tarsa, whose soldiers reached Nisoor Square 20 to 25 minutes after the gunfire subsided.

His soldiers' report -- based upon their observations at the scene, eyewitness interviews and discussions with Iraqi police -- concluded that there was "no enemy activity involved" and described the shootings as a "criminal event." Their conclusions mirrored those reached by the Iraqi government, which has said the Blackwater guards killed 17 people.

The soldiers' accounts contradict Blackwater's assertion that its guards were defending themselves after being fired upon by Iraqi police and gunmen.

the rest...

[Captain Hilts]

1. The troops hate these overpaid, lawless mercenaries. Troops get blamed for what mercs do. nt

[Coexist]

2. and they make 1/5 as much (not an exact figure!)

but it is sad just the same.

[Progressive_In_NC]

3. Unless they're special forces

A story yesterday said we've spent 100 million giving huge bonuses to SEALs and Rangers to keep them from jumping ship. So far, thankfully, it's working.

[Coexist]

6. that is wonderful. I did not know.

thanks.

[dysfunctional press]

4. "defending themselves after being fired upon by Iraqi police..."

ummmm...if the police are firing at you- isn't that generally an indication that you might be in the wrong?(black men standing in their doorways in new york city excepted, of course).

[WinkyDink]

5. BW = Formerly unemployed psychopaths.