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| Europe |
| Wounded U.S. Soldier in Germany Shot Himself |
| 2003-02-07 |
| A U.S. soldier hospitalized in Germany with gunshot wounds to his left hand and leg has admitted he shot himself in frustration over his army career, police said Friday. Well, I called this one wrong. The 26-year-old private first class initially told police he was attacked by an unknown assailant early Monday in a parking lot near his barracks in Schweinfurt, 60 miles east of Frankfurt. German authorities put 17 officers on the case and offered a $5,400 reward for clues. "In a third round of questioning he finally admitted that he had shot himself," police investigator Heinz Henneberger said. Police said the man told them where to find his pistol, which he had thrown in a nearby bush. Four cartridges found at the scene matched the pistol, which was the soldier's private weapon, not army issue, police said. The soldier, listed in stable condition, had a history of depression and talked to police of trying to kill himself, but it was unclear whether that was his intention Monday, Schweinfurt police chief Juergen Karl said. "He said he was unhappy because he had not been successful - he did not get where he wanted to be in his career," he said. "We all have dreams in life and he had simply not fulfilled his." The U.S. military refused to comment, saying its investigation is still under way. Police said the soldier could be charged under German law with lying about a crime, but only if the Army does not press its own charges. The Germans have closed their investigation and are awaiting the results of the U.S. inquiry. He will get treatment for his depression and a unfavorable discharge, doubt the germans will press charges. They'll just make sure he's shipped back to the states. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 Well, he may have enlisted later than most. I celebrated my 25th birthday in basic training. I was older than any of my TI's. Hell, most of the time I was nearly the oldest guy in any squadron I was assigned to. This PFC's first shirt needs a dressing down for missing this guys problem. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-02-07 14:50:14 |
| #2 A 26 year old PFC? Damn, I'd be pretty depressed too! |
| Posted by: Fleck 2003-02-07 13:38:56 |
| #1 "He said he was unhappy because he had not been successful - he did not get where he wanted to be in his career," he said. " A 26yr old PFC? I guess not. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-02-07 13:22:33 |