U.S. soldier charged with murder in Iraq shooting deaths
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NEW: Suspect struggled with fellow soldier over weapon, defense official says
Army Sgt. John Russell charged in killings of five fellow soldiers
Russell, 44, of Texas serving third tour in Iraq
Military spokesman: Russell referred to counseling, had gun confiscated recently
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The U.S. soldier who authorities say killed five fellow troops -- including a Navy commander -- at a stress clinic in Iraq on Monday apparently used a weapon he wrested away from another soldier, a Defense official said.
After getting the weapon, the soldier stole a military vehicle and drove to the clinic, where earlier he had been in a fight, the official said.
The shooter was identified as Army Sgt. John M. Russell, according to Maj. Gen. David Perkins, the military spokesman who briefed reporters in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday. Russell has been charged with five counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault after the shooting at Camp Liberty, near Baghdad's international airport, Perkins added. Watch how the Army is handling the case »
A 44-year-old communications specialist from Sherman, Texas, Russell is serving his third tour in Iraq and has previously deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo, according to his service record.
His father, Wilburn Russell, also of Sherman, said Russell had e-mailed his wife saying he believed unidentified officers were trying to run him out of the military.
"As far as he was concerned, the military was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him," Wilburn Russell said. "Evidently, he felt they turned against him and life was over. He didn't care any more, I guess.
"He broke. He just couldn't handle it."
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U.S. soldier charged with murder in Iraq shooting deaths
U.S. soldier: murder charges 3:50
CNN's Cal Perry reports on U.S. soldier charged with shooting and killing 5 fellow soldiers in Iraq.
U.S. soldier: murder charges
According to this report the stigma of PTSD lives on and keeps soldiers from getting the help they need.
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