Soldier Killed, 3 Injured in Combat Exercise
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FT. IRWIN, Calif. — A soldier was killed and three others were injured during a Mojave Desert combat training exercise, the military said Friday.
The accident occurred during a live-fire training exercise Thursday. The four soldiers were operating an armored personnel carrier when it was hit at close range by a .25-millimeter round from a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
“It’s all under investigation right now,” Army Maj. Barry Johnson said.
Pfc. Christopher M. Cerda, 19, of Gonzales, Texas, who was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kan., died in the accident. Three other injured soldiers were held overnight in a hospital and released.
The military post 110 miles northeast of Los Angeles specializes in ground force desert warfare training.
All four soldiers were assigned to the 70th Engineer Battalion at Ft. Riley.
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