Grudge cited in grenade attack at U.S. camp
Suspect identified as Army sergeant who is apparently a Muslim
David Zucchino, Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2003

Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait -- The 101st Airborne Division soldier accused of single-handedly killing a division captain and wounding 15 fellow soldiers is a Muslim who made anti- American statements after he was apprehended, according to soldiers who survived the suspect's grenade and automatic weapon attack early Sunday.

The soldier, who rolled a grenade into each of three tents of sleeping officers and senior noncommissioned officers of the 101st, shot at least two fellow soldiers as they raced from their tents, the witnesses said.

Outside the charred and blood-splattered tents Sunday afternoon, soldiers recalled hearing the suspect say as he was being led away by armed soldiers: "You guys are coming into our countries and you're going to rape our women and kill our children."

Military authorities identified the suspect, who was being questioned Sunday but had not been charged, as Sgt. Asan Akbar, 31.

George Heath, a spokesman for the division's home base at Fort Campbell, Ky. , said Akbar had been "having what some might call an attitude problem." Max Blumenfeld, an Army spokesman in Kuwait City, said the suspect's motive "most likely was resentment." [...]
- posted by ARYABHATT @ 6:39 pm