Guard: Blackwater Baghdad Massacre Was Unprovoked

Chilling details emerge in indictments of five guards in deaths of 17 Iraqis

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 9, 2008 3:11 AM CST

(Newser) – Five guards working for the Blackwater security company in Baghdad opened fire without provocation and massacred Iraqi civilians on a busy Baghdad intersection in 2007, according to chilling indictments filed against the men. The guards, protecting a convoy, used automatic weapons and grenade launchers to fire on cars, houses, a traffic cop and a school, killing 17 and wounding 20, reports the New York Times.

A sixth guard, who has been allowed to plead guilty to manslaughter, told prosecutors the massacre began when the men opened fire on a white sedan "that posed no threat to the convoy." No attempt was made to give a reasonable warning, he told investigators. The shootings ignited a storm of controversy over the use of private security contractors in Iraq.

Plainclothes contractors working for Blackwater take part in a firefight in Najaf, Iraq. (AP Photo/Gervasio Sanchez, File)

Blackwater security guard Donald Ball leaves federal court in Salt Lake City. He and four other guards were indicted for the 2007 shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi civilians. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

An Iraqi traffic cop inspects a car destroyed by a Blackwater security detail in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, File)

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Guard: Blackwater Baghdad Massacre Was Unprovoked

Chilling details emerge in indictments of five guards in deaths of 17 Iraqis

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Blackwater Probers Return to Baghdad

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14 of 17 Blackwater Killings Unjustified: FBI

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US Military to Oversee Blackwater Convoys

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Blackwater Probers Return to Baghdad

Feds investigate massacre that killed 17, seek trial in US

14 of 17 Blackwater Killings Unjustified: FBI

But prosecution of guards responsible may be stymied by immunity guarantees

US Military to Oversee Blackwater Convoys

Defense Dept. wins tug of war with State for control of contractors

Blackwater Guards Handed Immunity in Probe Blunder

Protection given without authorization

Blackwater Shooters Were Not Provoked, Iraq Says

Hired guards guilty in massacre: Baghdad

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