updated 2 minutes ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — A U.S. soldier is in custody after opening fire on his fellow troops Monday, killing five American service members, the U.S. military confirmed.It is unclear if the shooter was among the wounded, despite earlier reports that he killed himself, an official said.
Three others were wounded in the incident which happened about 2 p.m. at the U.S. military base, Camp Liberty, in Baghdad, two senior defense officials said.
"Any time we lose one of our own, it affects us all," said Col. John Robinson Multi-National Corps – Iraq spokesperson. "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of all the service members involved in this terrible tragedy."
The incident happened at Camp Liberty’s stress clinic, where U.S. service members are treated for psychological conditions, the sources said.
update LA-Times
The suspect is now in custody and an investigation underway, a military statement said.
There have been several instances in recent months in which Iraqi army soldiers have killed Americans on military bases, but no Iraqi troops are located at Camp Liberty.
There have also been sporadic instances of U.S. soldiers shooting fellow soldiers, usually in accidents, but this appears to be the bloodiest such case since the war began.
Also today, the military reported the death of a U.S. soldier on Sunday in a roadside bombing in the southern city of Basra. It was the first American fatality in Basra since U.S. troops took over responsibility for the oil-rich area from British forces at the end of March.
British troops, who had controlled Basra since the start of the war, left on May 1.
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