Afghan girl killed in accidental shooting

[McG]

Afghan girl killed in accidental shooting
CTV.ca
Updated Wed. Jul. 22 2009 4:53 PM ET

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- An Afghan girl has been killed in an accidental shooting by Canadian soldiers in Kandahar province.

Military officials say soldiers had dismounted from a convoy Tuesday in the volatile Panjwaii district when a motorcycle came speeding towards them.

When the driver did not heed signals to stop, a warning shot was fired and the motorcycle changed direction and sped away.

Moments later, officials say the soldiers noticed a crowd gathering and discovered that a girl, whose age was not disclosed, had been shot. Attempts to save the girl were unsuccessful.

In a separate incident about an hour later, three Afghan policemen were injured when Canadian soldiers inspecting a possible improvised explosive device fired on a vehicle that was approaching in the dark with its lights out.

Two members of the Afghan National Police suffered minor injuries, while the third remains in hospital.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090722/afghanistan_kandahar_090722/20090722?hub=World

 

[SupersonicMax]

I have a question regarding this accident:  where do they normally shoot warning shots?  I was always under the impression it was up in the air.

 

[George Wallace]

I have a question regarding this accident:  where do they normally shoot warning shots?  I was always under the impression it was up in the air.

It will depend on situation and location.  "Up in the air" in a heavily populated area only leaves you guessing where it is going to come back down.

 

[SARgirl]

I have a question regarding this accident:  where do they normally shoot warning shots?  I was always under the impression it was up in the air.

In this video, it shows a Canadian solider giving a warning shot, which had been directed into the ground.

Video Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsO54MQi6es

Video Posted on:
April 30, 2007

Length of Video:
7:56

Warning Shot:
aprox. 2:52

 

[dangerboy]

Like George said it all depends on the situation, just remember the soldier on the grounds usually just has seconds to decide what he is going to do and how he is going to do it. 

 

[Jarnhamar]

Personally I prefer warning shots in the air, the rule however is to put them into the road, dirt wall, ditch etc..

Warning shots warn people both by the sound of gunfire but also (and often overlooked) the visual cue.

The person see's the tracer round or the bullet hitting the pavement infront of their vehicle, see's the pavement get chewed up from the bullet and stops.
If the round is in the air or out of the drivers field of vision then he won't know to stop and the warning shot turns into a kill shot.

Warning shots are really tricky when it comes down to it.

 

[PMedMoe]

At least CTV news used the word "accidental".  This is the headline from CBC:

Canadian soldiers kill Afghan girl

I emailed them and stated that the writer or editor should have put the word accidental in the headline.

 

[2 Cdo]

At least CTV news used the word "accidental".  This is the headline from CBC:

Canadian soldiers kill Afghan girl

I emailed them and stated that the writer or editor should have put the word accidental in the headline.

And this headline from CBC surprised you? I expect nothing less from them.