Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Author Steven Vincent, who's wonderful book, In the Red Zone, brought us such an important perspective of post-invasion Iraq, and who's blog and dispatches since his return to the country have brought us such an important, important viewpoint, has been found shot dead. My thoughts go out to his family. This is just terrible, terrible news.
BBC: US journalist shot dead in Iraq
Mr Vincent was abducted with his female Iraqi translator at gun point by men in a police car on Tuesday.
His bullet-riddled body was found on the side of a highway south of the city a few hours later.
He had been writing a book about the city, where insurgents have recently stepped up their attacks.
Investigation
The pair were kidnapped by five gunmen in a police car as they left a currency exchange shop, Lt Col Karim al-Zaidi said.
"Both were later shot, but Vincent was killed, while the girl [translator] is alive," said Mr Zaidi.
Mr Vincent was shot several times in the head and body, said Mr Zaidi. The translator, [name removed - Vincent never printed her name, why the hell should the BBC?], was seriously wounded.
Mr Vincent's relatives have been informed and US officials are working with the UK military and Iraqi authorities to identify the killers.
"I can confirm to you that officials in Basra have recovered the body of journalist Steven Vincent," said embassy spokesman Pete Mitchell. "Our condolences go out to the family."
Mr Vincent had been in Basra in recent months working for the Christian Science Monitor and the New York Times.
In a recent New York Times article, Mr Vincent wrote that Basra's police force had been infiltrated by Shia militants.
He quoted a senior Iraqi police lieutenant saying some officers were behind many of the killings of former Baath party members in Basra.
Mr Vincent also criticised the UK forces, who are responsible for security in Basra, for ignoring abuses of power by Shia extremists.
Steven sent me a very nice email after he discovered my review of his book, and some time later passed the baton to me in one of those book polls that make the rounds. Those may sound like very frivilous little connections, but they certainly meant something to me at the time, especially because there's relatively little contact that usually comes in on this end, particularly on the part of the pros. They were thoughtful little paybacks for some of the effort that goes in here from a guy that didn't have to be bothered.
He was an incredibly brave man. His family must be beside themselves.
His last piece in National Review is here. His last piece in the New York Times is here.
The Times' story of his death is here. And more here.
Update: I have added another post here.
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