Girl killed by Coalition Forces in escalation of force incident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 090316-02
Mar. 16, 2009
MOSUL, Iraq — Coalition Forces reported today that a 12-year-old girl in Hurriyah, Ninewah Province died as a result of wounds suffered when she was shot during an escalation of force incident that occurred during a joint Coalition Forces and Iraqi Police security operation.
A vehicle approached the Hurriyah Iraqi Police station where Coalition Forces and Iraqi Police were conducting security operations and accelerated on approach. Security forces waved and yelled for the vehicle to stop. When the vehicle failed to stop, a Coalition soldier fired one warning round toward the vehicle. The bullet ricocheted off of a barrier near the vehicle. A second warning round was fired toward the vehicle and ricocheted off of the ground. The girl, was standing approximately 100 meters behind the vehicle and was struck by one of the warning rounds. Coalition Forces attempted to render medical aid on the scene; however, the girl died of her wounds while being transported by Iraqi Police to the Mosul General Hospital.
The commander of U.S. Forces in Ninewah Province, Col. Gary Volesky, with the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, expresses his condolences to the family for this unfortunate accident.
 The incident is currently under investigation.