Fort Rucker Trainee Faces Homicide Cost Tied to Junior Soldier’s Slaying

A Fort Rucker, Alabama, trainee has been charged with the slaying of one other junior enlisted soldier final week.

Pvt. Brian Jones Jr., 21, is accused of murdering Pvt. Abdul Latifu, 21, of the Bronx, New York Metropolis, on Jan. 10, the service introduced Wednesday. Each had been college students within the Army’s air visitors management operator course, a faculty new troopers attend for job coaching following boot camp. The troopers had been assigned to 1st Battalion, thirteenth Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade.

Jones allegedly killed Latifu with an Army-issued entrenching software, which is a foldable shovel, in accordance with Army Instances, which was first to report on the incident. Stripes reported that Latifu was attacked round midday Jan. 10 earlier than succumbing to his accidents later that afternoon.

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“On behalf of the U.S. Army Aviation Heart of Excellence and Fort Rucker, I lengthen our deepest condolences to Pvt. Latifu’s household, pals, and group. Collectively we mourn the lack of a promising younger Soldier,” Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry, the Fort Rucker commander, mentioned in a press release. “Our hearts are with the households and models impacted by the incident, and we’re targeted on taking good care of Troopers, households, and leaders.”

It isn’t clear what led to the altercation or when Jones’ trial in a navy courtroom will start.

Fort Rucker is the middle of the Army’s aviation coaching, being house to the service’s Aviation Heart of Excellence. Roughly 5,000 troopers are stationed there.

The incident following a December homicide during which Spc. Shay Wilson, an infantryman assigned to the third infantry division, was accused of capturing and killing Sgt. Nathan Hillman.

— Steve Beynon will be reached at Steve.Beynon@navy.com. Comply with him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

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