US soldier killed in Niger ambush was not captured, military report finds

[Eugene]

4. APNewsBreak: US soldier fought to end after ambush in Niger

Source: Associated Press

APNewsBreak: US soldier fought to end after ambush in Niger

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
50 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson died in a hail of gunfire, hit as many as 18 times as he took cover in thick brush, fighting to the end after fleeing militants who had just killed three comrades in an October ambush in Niger, The Associated Press has learned.

A military investigation has concluded that Johnson wasn’t captured alive or killed at close range, dispelling a swirl of rumors about how he died.

The report has determined that Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida, was killed by enemy rifle and machine gun fire from members of an Islamic State offshoot, according to U.S. officials familiar with the findings. The Oct. 4 ambush took place about 120 miles (200 kilometers) north of Niamey, the African nation’s capital. Johnson’s body was recovered two days later.

U.S. officials familiar with the findings spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to describe details of an investigation that has not been finalized or publicly released.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/285f70fdad5a41908636851b6d8ac7b2/APNewsBreak:-US-soldier-fought-to-end-after-ambush-in-Niger