Update: US soldier charged in Vinson death.
Civilian contractor shot dead on US base in Iraq
(AP) – BAGHDAD — A civilian contractor was shot and killed Sunday on an American military base in the Iraqi city of Tikrit and a U.S. soldier has been detained in connection with the incident, the military said.
The contractor was shot at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Speicher, the military said in a statement.
Houston-based KBR confirmed in a short statement that the man killed was one of its employees, 27-year-old Lucas Vinson.
“As the Army is leading the investigation of the incident, KBR is not providing further comment at this time,” spokeswoman Heather Browne said in an e-mailed statement. “We are of course fully cooperating with the Army on its continued investigation.”
Maj. Derrick Cheng, a public affairs officer, said a soldier had been detained in connection with the incident, but that he could not divulge any more information while the investigation is ongoing.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the individual,” he said.
The U.S. military makes wide use of contractors in Iraq for security, technical support and supply functions.
KBR is the primary support contractor in Iraq, providing troops with essential services, including housing, meals, mail delivery and laundry.
As of June 30, 1,395 civilian employees of U.S. government contractors had been killed in Iraq, according to an AP count. (click HERE for the original article)
Now that the Associated Press has confirmed and released the name of KBR employee Lucas Vinson, I will allow comments. Please keep them respectful on all levels.
My most sincere condolences to the friends, family and co-workers of Lucas Vinson. My prayers are with you.
My prayers are also with this soldier, his family and his entire unit.
Ms Sparky
Other Related Posts From Ms Sparky
- Spc. Beyshee Velez court-martialed for the murder of KBR employee Lucas Trent Vinson
- Velez fit to face court martial for the shooting death of KBR employee Lucas Trent Vinson
- Spc. Beyshee Velez charged for Lucas Trent Vinson shooting death
- Camp Speicher Co-Workers Remember Their Friend Lucas “Trent” Vinson
- From KBR – Death Of Employee Lucas “Trent” Vinson
What a senseless tragedy. My condolances go out to the Vinson family and everyone at the C-Sites.
I worked with Trent at the G-sites. He was in property and I worked materials. From what I understand Trent was driving an NTV (this portion of the comment has been removed pending official release of this information) and he was shot by the soldier. He was flown to the CASH in Baghdad and later died. Condolences to him and his family working over there and here at home. Trent was a great guy as you can see from this post. We also worked together in Najaf during rough period. Trents office took a direct hit from a rocket at the G-sites when we were working at Echo.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’m very sorry for the loss of your friend and former co-worker.
Another melt down resulting in tragedy.
My heart goes out to the family and friends.
These melt downs are occurring at an alarming rate even if you don’t count the incidents that have been covered up.
Are we just screaming into a black hole?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Marcie-I know you are referring to a PTSD meltdown. I am not going to say that is not a possibility here….but it’s clearly not an excuse for shooting someone. Let’s wait and see what if anything the DoD releases. There are a whole lot of victims here. Family members of both the soldier and the Trent. Unit members, friends of both. There is an ache in my heart and I didn’t know either one.
PTSD is a very serious issue for our soldiers and civilians and the DoD does address it adequately. And DoD contractors don’t address it at all.
Don’t let the KBR haters own this story… it is a story of heroism. This man probably saved dozens of lives due to his actions.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
This really has nothing to do with KBR. This is a tragedy on so many levels.
I wouldn’t come out and say PTSD yet but considering the soldiers behavior he was not in his right state of mind.
This scenario is playing out way to often.
Yes, many hearts breaking over them.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Yes you are correct there.
you need to be asking more questions about what happened at the LSA
Ms Sparky’s Response:
OK-I’m asking. I am assuming your are talking about the LSA (Life Sustainment Area aka living area) where some of this took place.
I had the wonderful opportunity of working with, I knew him as Trent, at the G-sites and he always had a smile on his face and would always make you smile whether you wanted to or not. He was just that charismatic. A terrible loss and my prayers go out to the Vinson family, some of which work over there as well. While it’s a horrific tragedy, my prayers also go out to the soldier and his family because obviously something was not right with him. I just hope that the entire TRUE story will surface for all to read. Thanks for posting this information about his untimely death, Ms. Sparky.
My condolences to the families of both victims here. A young life lost and another young life that has to live with the consequences.
My hope is that this will not be another Donald Tolfree incident where neither side ever gets all the information.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Me too.
Let us not start to speculate on what happen or who is going to cover up what. Two family are now in great pain. I believe we should keep them in our prayers and not speculate on what happen in the LSA or DFAC or wherever is the root cause to this event.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Again…we agree. I have deleted and edited more comments than I have approved.
I would just like to say I personally worked with Trent while assigned to the C Sites (in the same office until June 09). I can not even describe to your readers how much he will be missed. He would greet everyone in the morning with “Good Morning Buddy” and go through the halls yelling Whodeewhoo! He was full of charisma and spirit. He was obsessed with the gym and was a great cook on the BBQ. He loved LSU and last Christmas our office gave him all presents with LSU Logos (which he just loved). He was a great worker and took great pride in his work. He was…. a great friend… It is the greatest lost for all who knew him and I am completely heartbroken…Please pray for his family.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I’m sorry for your loss.
Yesterday was a very tragic day for all involved. We got the news a couple hours after the shooting and while they still had the shooter surrounded in the LSA. The negotiating went on for hours, not ending until after 9 pm. Trent lost his life for no good reason at all. We are all grieving, and i can not imagine how his father is feeling as he is here on the same camp with us. They were supposed to leave on R&R together today to go home. A lot of rumors are going to fly about what happened out here. Trent was not flown to Baghdad. He was here on Speicher when he passed. He was rushed to the CSH, but not flown from our site. Trent will be missed by family state side and abroad. We are all family members out here. We watch out for one another. Today Trent may have saved the lives of many by being the person that he was. May God put his loving arms around both families and help them to understand this tragic event.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thank you for your comment. My condolences to the friends, family and co-workers of both sides of this tragedy.
I am wondering if this is the same Vinson that I served with in the Marine Corps… He was the same age and from louisiana… Does anyone know his background?? I left the Marines in 2003 after a tour in Iraq where I was Vinsons squad leader… I would appreciate any info about Lucas Vinson past military service so I can verify if it is him or not… Thank you…
Here is an updated AP article.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jHQLdOgbcwUVIhSGta0xbERXd-ugD9AMRRM00
The soldiers startle easily out there which I can understand !! My source told me, that a soldier went AWOL and this young man may God rest his soul,and comfort his family died as an indirect result of him going AWOL..will update you later.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks. Not to condone this shooting in any way, I just want to say this….we have no idea what this or any other soldier experiences. I don’t know if the DoD will come forward officially with ALL facts that are coming out, but I hope so.
Here is another article that just came out with family statements.
http://www.kansascity.com/437/story/1445754.html
Although I never had the pleasure of knowing Trent Vinson I do know his Mother and Grandmother, my heart goes out to both of them, to loose a child is such a tragedy.
My deepest sympathies to the Smith-Vinson families
Sgt-Mayhem,
First of all, thank you for your service to our country.I can assure you that I am a valid source, and this is not the same Lucas Vinson that served with you in the Marines in 2003. Trent did have an uncle that served in the Marines in Vietnam, but he was never in the service.
While I do not want to comment about my relation to Trent, I do want to comment on how hurtful and dreadful some of the above comments are. When the truth comes out, some of the above posters will realize they have opened mouth and inserted their foot. I am appalled at the level of total disrespect for human kind. This country has people so quick to draw conclusions without even having a CLUE as to what really took place.
That being said, I think any comments “GUESSING” or “Making” accusations about this tragedy should not be made, and the people with the urge to do so should practice what I would call “holding your tongue.”
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I have read some of the comments on other blogs and you are correct they are disgusting. I think MsSparky.com readers have been very respectful, restrained and informative. You must have this blog confused with one of the others that allows that kind of crap. So….how is “MC” anyway?
iIloved Trent i left the office working with him on April 7th , He was the one who got me in the gym everyday and ,he loved his LSU , You couldn’t say anything about LSU.LOL He was like no other i have ever met.
Trent was never moody he was always , always in a good mood and never let anyone down. I have been crying for two days now , he was going home on October 22nd. His last blog on face Book was something like 61 days till i go home who is coming with. Sad that an American Soilder did this. If he was unhappy he should have took his crazy butt home. bottom line. Why take someone elses life. i Loved his spirit and wished sometimes i could be as crazy and full of life as him.
I want to apologize to ALL posters on this board. I confused this blog with Huffington Post, which has some pretty harsh things being said. Sincere apologies to all.
lsufan74 said,on September 15th, 2009 at 8:13 am I want to apologize to ALL posters on this board. I confused this blog with Huffington Post, which has some pretty harsh things being said. Sincere apologies to all.
——————–
Not a problem lsufan74, believe it or not most of the folks that comment on Ms Sparky’s blog are trying to do the right thing. The frustration is not with the KBR people that are trying to do a good job. The anger is with management and the people that are causing everyone affiliated with KBR to be perceived as bad.
I am sorry for your loss, I know from experience how devastating a time this is for you and your family.
My condolensces go out to the family and friends of the victim and also the soldier.I cant imagine what he’s going through. My husband is a contractor thru KBR and they are out there risking their lives to support our troops. Really when something happens to these hard workers what does the army or KBR do for them. No acknowledgement what so ever. Just a see you later, BYE….
I am getting much communication about two additional soldiers who MAY have been victims in this tragedy. This is certainly just rumor at this point because the DoD flatly denies any additional victims.
I would like to hear it from someone who is at Speicher. Also, can someone tell me the name of the soldier and the Unit the soldier belonged to who shot Lucas.
Please don’t leave any of that information as a comment. Click the CONTACT US tap above or click this link to send me an email.
http://mssparky.com/contact-us/
Trent was a wonderful guy he will never be forgotten. I have some pictures of us and of just him being the clown he can be. He will be missed. I am so sad this has happened. I worked with him at the G sites as well. I was the a medic there.
My boyfriend grew up with trent, they grew yp in a small town and were very close. Althought I have not meet him, we got in the news early Sunday morning. I could here the hurt and sorrow from Trents friends and family. I know for a fact that they are having a really hard time. I have heard nothing but good and positive things about Trent, I wish I could have met him. This will be a very emotional cerimony. I know that the Visions and the family friends appriciate your kind words
JB … do you have AIM?
This man sounds like a great young man. I commend him for keeping a smile for so many others throughout his long stint with KBR.
I worked for KBR in Baghdad for a year and did another year with them at Camp Anaconda, a very rough place, starting in 2003 also.
Although we would certainly like more info on the reason why a contractor was shot, we simply can’t speculate at this point. But, one thing is for sure. KBR CARES NOTHING ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYEES. If you go there, and you are severly injured, you are left out in the cold. When you come back home, you are ostricized. There are countless employees who were hurt and KBR would not even provide an answer or help with medical treatment upon arrival home,,,,that is a fact. I am not a KBR hater, I worked for them for 2 years, but do the reasearch yourself. This man’s family deserves answers, upfront, regardless of the fact that the investigation is being conducted by the army.This case has a higher profile due to the circumstances, but there are hundreds of others that you have probably never heard of, from explosions and job-related injuries.
I offer my condolences to the familiy. May he rest in peace.
I worked for KBR (B sites) as a TTM Driver/Foreman/TransOps for over three years, and my sincerest condolences go out to the family of this fine individual.
Tragic as this incident is, it serves as a sobering reminder just where contractors are serving and under what conditions and who they serve.
All too often, I had seen the “Me, Myself and I” syndrome displayed in front of battle-tested Soldiers and Marines, often veterans of multiple deployments. Their animosity towards contractors sometimes will reach the point where their anger is truly palatable. The most important thing I learned early on over there was to be “seen and not heard” and to employ a certain amount of discipline and tact when dealing with an “armed” military.There are so many KBR civilians over there over-consumed by their supposed self-importance that it is truly alarming…
I have no idea whether this individual was targeted because of a personal dispute, or because he was a KBR contractor, or simply he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I had seen stupid stuff happen outside the wire and even dumber stuff happen inside the wire…I was universally HATED as someone who enforced safety rules and one who actually cared about the welfare of those under me.I wasn’t there to make friends; I can truly say no one died or was seriously injured on my watch and for that I am TRULY thankful….
Again, my sincere condolences to this fine patriot’s family…
Just stumbled on this today…Robert Vinson was the camp manager at G4 (Charlie, al-Hillah) when I was the medic there. Does anyone know if he’s related to Trent.
What a mess. Was there ever an update on what set the soldier off? Most links above are 404 now.
–Equusz