Saturday, November 18, 2006

Criminal investigation launched into Cody (Kristopher C.) Warren's death

A 19-year-old artillery Marine who was killed in Iraq on Nov. 9 during what the Defense Department calls a “nonhostile incident” was shot in the back of the head, according to the casualty report, Marine officials said.

Although it remains unclear whether the wound was self-inflicted, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the death of Lance Cpl. Kristopher C. Warren, a reservist attached to the 1st Marine Division in Iraq’s Anbar province, as a potential homicide.

Two sources confirmed that NCIS agents in Iraq have taken the lead on the criminal investigation; neither could confirm whether the 1st Marine Division has launched a separate command investigation into the incident yet.

Attempts to contact officials with forward elements of the 1st Marine Division in Iraq were unsuccessful.

Warren was based in Chattanooga, Tenn., with Mike Battery, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines, before he deployed to Iraq in September.

From the Marine Corps Times

Related Link:
Cody (Kristopher C.) Warren remembered at school memorial

Related Link:
Cody (Kristopher C.) Warren slain by sniper