An Army Ranger based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state was being kept in prison Wednesday for supposedly shooting into a crowd and eliminating 2 individuals at an electronic music celebration over the weekend.
James Kelly, 26, a joint fire assistance expert designated to the 75th Ranger Regiment, was booked into the Grant County Jail on Tuesday and was under examination for the shooting at the Beyond Wonderland celebration Saturday about 149 miles east of Seattle, according to The Associated Press. Kelly was shot by police officers throughout the occurrence and had actually remained in the health center.
Kelly, a weapons spotter with the Rangers, was anticipated to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
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Seattle locals Brandy Escamilla, 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, 26, who were engaged to be wed, both passed away from their gunshot injuries, the wire service reported. Two others — Lily Luksich, 20, of Mill Creek, Washington, and Andrew Cuadra, 31, of Eugene, Oregon — were injured by the shooting.
Another individual was hurt — a personal security officer who reacted to the shooting. A bullet ricocheted off her ballistic glasses, per the AP.
“First, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command extends our acknowledgements to the victims and households of those impacted by this act of violence. The command understands the claims versus Spc. James Kelly,” Lt. Col. Michael Burns, a representative for the command, composed in an email declaration. “We take all claims seriously and are completely working together with the proper authorities.”
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office launched additional information in a Facebook post on Tuesday, from Sheriff Joe Kriete.
Kelly “was hospitalized for a gunshot injury and was gone back to Grant County today where he is lodged in the Grant County Jail. He is held for examination of 2 counts of first-degree murder, 2 counts of first-degree attack, and one count of first-degree attack domestic violence.”
According to Burns, Kelly’s home of record is Strongsville, Ohio. Kelly has actually made 2 Army Achievement Medals and the Parachutist Badge. He has actually not served on fight deployments.
— Steve Beynon contributed reporting.
— Adrian Bonenberger, an Army veteran and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, reports for Military.com. He can be reached at [email protected].
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