Reuters journalist killed by U.S. soldiers

by **Agent-Commando** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 6:15 pm

this is so stupid... tell me if you guys think the camera he is holding looks like a RPG???!?!

That's Mazen Dana, a Reuters camera man who's worked for Reuters for over a decade.

"Reuters soundman Nael al-Shyoukhi, who was working with Dana at the time, said Dana was shot by a U.S. soldier on a tank.

"I cried at the soldier, telling him you killed a journalist. They shouted at me and asked me to step back and I said 'I will step back but please help, please help and stop the bleed'," Shyoukhi said. The soldiers tried to help but Dana died.

The U.S. military acknowledged on Sunday that its troops had "engaged" a Reuters cameraman, saying they had thought his camera was a rocket propelled grenade launcher.

"Army soldiers engaged an individual they thought was aiming an RPG at them. It turned out to be a Reuters cameraman," Navy Captain Frank Thorp, a spokesman for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Reuters in Washington.

Dana's death brings to 17 the number of journalists or their assistants who have died in Iraq since war began on March 20."

Complete story here:

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3290933

by **El Cid** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 6:30 pm

Originally posted by Agent-Commando
this is so stupid... tell me if you guys think the camera he is holding looks like a RPG???!?!

That's Mazen Dana, a Reuters camera man who's worked for Reuters for over a decade.

Its a shame. We also just defeated Saddams's regime in Iraq, that was called war, people unfortunately become casualties. I bet the soldeirs didn't know that was Mazen Dana who has been a Reuters camera man for over a decade. From a distance I might shoot him too. I feel sorry for the soldeirs over their risking their lives for us.

by **cashcow** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 7:25 pm

Aww... the poor soldiers in Iraq had to kill the cameraman... I feel so bad for them!

Actually, I do, but this is a ridiculious situation.

by **Face** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:09 pm

Its a shame that he was accidentally killed, but look at it this way. He has to be REALLY stupid to be pointing a shoulder-held device at an army that is being shot at every day by RPGs and such. If the news crew was smart, they would have approached the tank first and let them know that he was going to film and where he would be standing.

by Conscious* » Sun Aug 17, 2003 8:42 pm

well if anyone holds osmething liek that up and points it anywhere near me ina hostile area they better duck and cover

by **Keekanoo** » Sun Aug 17, 2003 10:52 pm

Speaking from experience, I would most certainly have fired warning shots with intent to maim and suppress the area around this cameraman.

The picture provided has him decked out looking very unmilitariesh, but the reality was probably very dusty, very hazy, rubble-strewn or quite possibly an area chock-full of ambush positions.

Add on top of that a moving vehicle, the noise it makes, the exhaust, the dust thrown up, probably goggles or scarf being worn...

I think the soldiers over there are under one hell of a lot of stress. It's really too bad about the cameraman. But like someone else said, if he popped up and aimed that thing at me I wouldn't think twice about shooting.

by Conscious* » Sun Aug 17, 2003 10:57 pm

yea i agree with keek..with all the dust and nosie from the tank you probally couldnt tell what it was but when you see seomthing that looks like a rocket laucher on some one crouched downs shoulder they definetly shouldve shot at him

by **Colonel Ingus** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 12:24 am

Nice picture.

But I bet the real guy had cammies on and wasn't wearing tape across his helmet.

Sorry he died but you take your own risks going into a warzone and I don't feel bad about it.

Millions of people die every day and I don't see you worrying about them.

by **Chacal** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 1:33 am

"Engaged". Nice.

Sorry ma'am, we had to engage your husband.

Oh look, an afghan wedding. Let's engage it.

by **Cowgomoo** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 1:41 am

i think the weapons of mass destruction are in the cake!

well, that must really suck to cover the war, and die after the main part is over....thats why im thankful im still over here, and not over there.

by **{CN}Doomfarer** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 12:38 pm

There is a reason it is called hazardous duty... Not gonna make me think he was too bright though... Simple fact of the matter is, he knew his life was at risk and chose to go in anyway (and then made a very poor decision). How many others there have died who haven't had that luxury?

We are born into this world with only one promise: our last breath.

by **Mugzy** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 1:44 pm

Now does it look like he is holding a RPG? Hint: Upper right area.

by **Wairudo Enjin** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 1:55 pm

Way to put into proper perspective for those who can not imagine the sight in their heads, Mugzy!

I am sad however whenever a life is lost.

Why can't we all just get along? :confused:

by **Camel toe joe** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 1:57 pm

Originally posted by Mugzy
Now does it look like he is holding a RPG? Hint: Upper right area.

shoot him before he lights up those poor piggies!!!

Seriously though it's a ashame he was killed but like other said he knew there were risks, and I agree, even without this picture, that he probably looked like a hostile at a distance.

on a lighter note too bad our troops didn't use the glow bot made by Toad:roll:

Reuters journalist killed by U.S. soldiers

Reuters journalist killed by U.S. soldiers

Re: Reuters journalist killed by U.S. soldiers

Who is online