American citizen working in relief agency killed by gunmen in Baghdad
The Driver License of the American citizen Stephen Troll. Photo: Al-Arabiya News
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi security sources revealed that an American citizen was killed on Monday in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, after an attempt to kidnap him failed.
The sources added that his body was transported to a hospital in Karrada district in Baghdad, and an initial report from the hospital indicated that his death was caused by a bullet.
“According to our initial investigations and eyewitnesses, gunmen tried to kidnap the American citizen,” an Iraqi police officer explained.
Another source from the police also stated that the victim was carrying an identity card showing that he works as an English language teacher, according to Reuters.
Two Iraqi security officials who preferred to remain anonymous mentioned that the man was shot while driving through the Karrada district on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, but the reason why he was targeted is not clear, and no party immediately claimed responsibility.
Officials in the United States embassy in Baghdad told the Associated Press (AP) that they heard about the shooting and had no information about it.
“We are waiting for reports on the killing of an American citizen in Baghdad,” the U.S. Department of State mentioned.
Media reports mentioned that unidentified gunmen shot dead an American citizen named Stephen Edward Troll in the Karrada district near Rafidain Bank, and the victim immediately died.
The media reports also revealed that the assassination took place while the citizen was driving his personal white Toyota Prado, and the gunmen were using a black Mercedes-Benz and a black Chevrolet Tahoe.
The American citizen works for the Millennium Relief and Development Services affiliated with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, directed the Ministry of Interior to form an investigation team to investigate the killing of Troll, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Security Media Cell (ISMC).