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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

April 11, 2003
Release Number: 03-04-107


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


MARINES ENGAGED VEHICLE THAT BYPASSED CHECKPOINT

SOUTHERN, IRAQ - Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit fired upon a vehicle this morning after it bypassed a checkpoint and failed to stop after repeated warnings. Two Iraqi civilians were killed and nine injured in the incident.

The van, with blackened windows, carrying 15 civilians en-route to Basra was traveling south when it failed to stop at a notification sign. The driver then failed to heed verbal and hand and arm signals to stop. After penetrating the "serpentine" vehicle obstacles, Marines were authorized to use deadly force under the rules of engagement concerning vehicles at checkpoints.

Upon advancing to the vehicle, Marines found injured people in the van. The injured were immediately evacuated to medical treatment facilities nearby and the seriously injured were taken to facilities in Tallil. Two children were killed and nine were injured in the incident. Four were uninjured and accompanied the injured to the hospitals.

Medical treatment is being provided to those injured. Teams have been dispatched and are currently offering assistance to local officials in explaining the situation and taking measures to try to avoid these situations as order is restored to Iraq.