Bragg soldier killed in gunfight with Virginia police

Hopewell, Va. — A Fort Bragg soldier died Saturday after exchanging gunfire with police in Virginia during a traffic stop, authorities said Monday.

Hopewell deputies stopped a speeding 2000 Nissan Altima on southbound Interstate 295 at about 10:10 a.m., but the driver sped away, prompting a brief pursuit, authorities said. After about 2 miles, the driver stopped, jumped out of the car and confronted two deputies.

The man, identified as Army Pfc. Robert L. Henderson III, 21, fired upon the deputies, who then returned fire, wounding him, authorities said.

Henderson was flown to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Va., where he died.

One deputy suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The second deputy was not injured.

The Virginia State Police were called in to investigate the shooting.

Henderson, of Reisterstown, Md., was a supply clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, according to Fort Bragg officials.

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What a shame. When this kind of stuff happends who do you blame. Soldier against Soldier. What a shame.

go po-po
December 20, 2011 6:31 p.m.

I don't have enough time to read all of the postings, but where did this PTSD thing get started? All I read in the story was "soldier". I read nothing about him being a Vet. He was a Pfc. Don't you think he would have a higher rank if he had been on deployment and then returned? I mean no disrespect to any of our wonderful servicemen/women. I just hate to see people jump the gun with PTSD while there are many honorable Vets who actually do have PTSD and need help.

parichar77
December 20, 2011 4:39 p.m.

PTSD is a horrible thing to suffer from.Believe me,it's not a crutch.I hope any one of our brave and underappreciated military seeks help when they return or their families help them to seek help if it's needed.There is NOTHING WRONG with seeking help.If more of the leaders would try to let the soldiers know that it's okay to seek help without holding it against them,then maybe more of these wonderful people wouldn't have to go through hell,be tormented and suffer in silence.The commandors and others over the soldiers say they don't hold it against them, but they do.I've seen too many good people be passed over for promotions,not get good assignments to good places,etc because they have gone to counselling.My father was a marine until he passed away and my ex was a specialist in the army.Also being from a very military city (Colorado Springs, Co)I've seen what things like this in a person's file can do.I hope more people will encourage our heros to seek help not blame them.

marymorris
December 20, 2011 3:41 p.m.

I signed into this site just to comment on this post. I'm a clinical therapist and MSW and handle PTSD patients regularly. The manifestations displayed by this soldier are textbook diagnosis. This is my last post here.

clmyspots
December 20, 2011 3:18 p.m.

When,I joined the marine corp.We went through all kind of mental evaluations, why don't they do a test on every on coming back from the wars and hostile nations.This may not catch them all.But it could not hurt.Granted it would not help them all! But the few it would catch might save lives.I know that they get debriefed after, but maybee this is not enough.These men have seen some unimagineable things,and it is hard enough just to adapt to civilion life after. Please do more to help our returning military!

Big D 87
December 20, 2011 2:22 p.m.