Iraq war vet charged in shooting death of fellow airman

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Iraq war vet charged in shooting death of fellow airman
Posted on May 7
By the Associated Press



GREAT FALLS - A decorated Iraq war veteran has been charged in the shooting death of a fellow airman.

Jonathon Higgins, 22, appeared in court Tuesday on a charge of negligent homicide for the death of 20-year-old John Howry. The pair served in the 341st Space Wing Security Forces Squadron stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls.

"The Air Force and the leadership of the 341st Space Wing send their condolences to the family and friends of the victim," Col. Paul Gydesen, vice commander of the unit, said in a statement.

"We stand ready to support the family and friends in any way possible during their time of need."


According to court documents, a witness told police the two men were "goofing around" at a party Monday evening when Howry took out a knife and jokingly said he was going to "shave" Higgins.

The witness said Higgins pulled a .40-caliber handgun from his waistband and fired, according to the documents. Howry died a short time later at a hospital with a wound to his lower abdomen.

Witnesses told police Higgins was posing for pictures with gun before the shooting.

Higgins received the Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal in February. He earned the awards in April 2007 when an improvised explosive device struck a Humvee that he was riding in. His injuries included second-degree burns and shrapnel in his right calf.

He is being held on $25,000 bail. http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/05/07/bnews/br40.txt
Linked from ICasualties.org