Schofield soldier charged in death of Iraqi civilian

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Schofield Barracks soldier has been charged with murder in connection with a Feb. 28 incident during which an Iraqi civilian was shot and killed.

The murder charge may be the first involving an Iraqi civilian against a U.S. soldier in the Iraq war.

On April 8, Pfc. Edward L. Richmond Jr., 20, was charged with one count of unpremeditated murder under article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Richmond is assigned to the headquarters company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry regiment.

"A proferral of charges constitutes an accusation, and as such, Pfc. Richmond is presumed innocent unless proven guilty," said Major Neal O'Brien, spokesman for the 1-27. "The general nature of the charge is that Pfc. Richmond unjustifiably shot and killed an Iraqi male."

He said a formal investigation into the shooting was convened and concluded. O'Brien said the investigating officer forwarded a recommendation, but the recommendation could not be released to the public.

For Richmond to be court-martialed, the investigating officer has to recommend it. The recommendation will now be reviewed to determine what action will be taken in the case.

A court-martial is the civilian equivalent of an indictment.

Details about the incident are sketchy, and the Army would not disclose specifics.

On Feb. 28, 1-27 soldiers were conducting a morning search for known terrorists in the region of Al Huwijah, a city of more than 85,000 mostly Sunni Arabs about 40 miles southwest of Kirkuk.

The area is an extension of the so-called "Sunni Triangle" north and west of Baghdad where many attacks on U.S. forces have occurred. During such searches, soldiers cordon off sections of homes or businesses and search key buildings within the zone.

The middle-age Iraqi man was running and was "resisting apprehension," but the Army did not specify how.

After the shooting, Richmond was removed from all duties and moved to Kirkuk Air Base. Richmond has not been confined.

At the time of the shooting, little information was released about the soldier or the incident pending a review, but Lt. Col. Scott Leith, who commands the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, said, "I believe it was excessive force."

"It's outside of the guidance we've given all of our soldiers, apparently," he said.

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.