Andrew J. Moonen
Andrew J. Moonen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kalispell, Montana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Private military contractor |
| Years active | 2000s |
| Known for | Fatal shooting of Iraqi security officer Raheem Khalif while employed by Blackwater Security |
Andrew J. Moonen previously worked for Blackwater Security (currently known as Academi) and was accused by the Iraq government of killing Raheem Khalif, a security officer assigned to Iraqi Vice-president Adel Abdul Mahdi. Khalif sustained fatal injuries from three gunshots. Moonen, who hails from Kalispell, Montana, served with the 82nd Airborne Division in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge upon completion of his service. After the event, both the United States Department of State and Blackwater aimed to keep his identity private, citing security concerns. He now lives in Seattle, Washington. Addressing claims of company misconduct, Blackwater’s founder, Erik Prince, remarked, “when we found knucklehead behavior, we fired them.”
On October 4, 2007, The New York Times revealed the identity of the employee as Andrew J. Moonen from Seattle. The matter was investigated by federal law enforcement agencies, while Iraq classified it as a homicide. During Congressional hearings held on October 2, 2007, Blackwater CEO Erik Prince testified that Moonen was dismissed for breaching policies related to alcohol consumption and firearm use.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Moonen obtained further employment. Between February and August 2007, he was employed by Combat Support Associates (CSA), a contractor for the US Department of Defense operating in Kuwait. In April 2007, the Department of Defense attempted to recall him to active military duty but subsequently canceled the request because he was stationed abroad.
Shooting incident
An MSNBC report on August 12, 2007, underscored the lack of accountability and oversight regarding security contractors and highlighted numerous civilian casualties connected to their operations. According to information from the State Department, on December 24, 2006, an intoxicated Blackwater contractor fatally shot a bodyguard assigned to protect the Iraqi vice president. The US State Department recommended compensation of $250,000 to the family of the victim but ultimately agreed to pay $15,000. The contractor was terminated by Blackwater; however, no criminal charges were initially pursued.
United States Congress memo of incident
A memorandum issued by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform dated October 1, 2007, provided a detailed account of the event:
- “On December 24, 2006, a 26-year-old contractor employed by Blackwater shot and killed a 32-year-old security guard working for Iraqi Vice President Adil Abd-al-Mahdi within Baghdad’s International Zone. This incident provoked significant backlash from the Iraqi government.”
- “The contractor served as an armorer and had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages that evening; witnesses described him as intoxicated. Armed with a Glock 9 mm pistol, he fired several rounds at the guard following a confrontation near the compound of the Iraqi Prime Minister.”
- “He then retreated to a Triple Canopy guard post claiming involvement in a firefight with Iraqis; however, no other individuals reported hearing gunfire. Despite emitting alcohol odor, he denied having consumed any drinks that night.”
- “Blackwater dismissed him on December 25 for carrying a firearm while under the influence and facilitated his prompt departure from Iraq.”
- ""In response to this incident, Blackwater personnel individually requested that legal action be taken against the contractor to uphold company standards.""
- “The State Department instructed Blackwater to extend condolences along with a monetary payment to the victim’s family.”
Congressional and criminal inquiry
Following public outrage in Iraq over the October 2007 fatal shooting of an Iraqi individual, the Domestic Security Section of the Justice Department initiated a criminal probe into murder allegations against Moonen. On October 5, 2007, Henry Waxman, then Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, formally requested Moonen's employment records from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The investigation was concluded on October 18, 2010, when the U.S. attorney announced that after a thorough review of all evidence and consideration of claims such as self-defense, there was not enough proof to pursue prosecution beyond a reasonable doubt.
External links
- Memorandum: Additional Information about Blackwater USA, United States Congress, October 1, 2007 (archived)
- Licensed to Kill, Harper's Magazine, October 6, 2007 (archived)
- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gfhT0GDGj2NR1gSKdCi6FsODXGxQD8S3BERG1
- http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/05/waxman.blackwater/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/washington/06blackwater.html?ref=us
- https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/world/middleeast/02shooting.html?fta=y "Report Details Shooting by Drunken Blackwater Worker", The New York Times