Eight United States soldiers serving in Afghanistan have been charged in the apparent suicide of one of the comrades, 19-year-old Pvt. Danny Chen. The Army announced Wednesday 1st Lt. Daniel J. Schwartz, Staff Sgt. Blaine G. Dugas, Staff Sgt. Andrew J. Van Bockel, Sgt. Adam M. Holcomb, Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hurst, Spc. Thomas P. Curtis, Spc. Ryan J. Offutt and Sgt. Travis F. Carden faces various charges including dereliction of duty, maltreatment, negligent homicide and manslaughter.
Military officials did not release details on the role the eight men are believed to have played in Chen’s death, but the New York chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans said constant bullying and racial discrimination may have led to his decision to take his own life. Chen was found dead in a guard tower in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on October 3 of a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators believe the wound was self-inflicted.
Elizabeth OuYang, president of the New York Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, said Chen posted descriptions of how his comrades bullied him on Facebook and in e-mails. He claimed they threw rocks at him, dragged him across the ground and taunted him with jokes among other things.
"Whether suicide or homicide, those responsible for mistreating Danny are responsible for his death," OuYang said.
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