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    Blackwater Guards Subpoenaed by Federal Grand Jury
    By Brian Ross and Pierre Thomas
    ABC News

    Monday 19 November 2007

    A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. has opened an investigation into the role of Blackwater security guards in the shooting deaths of 17 Iraqi citizens in September in Baghdad, federal law enforcement sources tell the Blotter on ABCNews.com.

    A number of Blackwater security guards assigned to the ill-fated convoy have been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury next week.

    A Department of Justice spokesperson, Dean Boyd, said, "We never comment on whether or not a matter is before a grand jury."

    But sources familiar with the Blackwater case say the guards called to testify were, while present, not those who allegedly fired on any civilians.

    According to statements given to State Department diplomatic security agents, obtained by ABCNews.com, only five guards admitted to firing their weapons.

    Twelve other Blackwater guards, according to their statements, witnessed events but did not fire.

    One, identified as "Mark," told State Department investigators, "At no time while pulling security in my sector did I observe any enemy combatants or observe any hostile activities which threatened our motorcade."

    Another, identified as "Evan," told State Department investigators, according to the statement obtained by ABCNews.com, he did see the convoy being fired on.

    "I started to hear small arms fire and my turret gunner calling 'contact' and engaging the enemy. Scanning my sector out the left of the vehicle I saw multiple IP's (Iraqi police) with Ak-47's firing on our convoy. Numerous rounds were impacting the left side of my vehicle when I noticed that it had turned off."

    Sources familiar with the case say the investigation is focusing on "turret gunner No. 3" identified in a sworn statement as "Paul."

    He described repeated enemy contacts that caused him to fear for his life, including some from a red bus.

    "I again was engaged by small arms fire from the red bus that was stopped at the intersection. I engaged the individuals and stopped the threat," he said.

    The FBI's initial investigation, according to the New York Times, found at least 14 of the 17 killings were unjustified and violated U.S. rules of engagement.

    Blackwater had no immediate comment on the grand jury investigation.

    In a previous statement, the company said it "supports stringent accountability for our industry."

    A Blackwater spokesperson said its guards acted appropriately, but "if official findings conclude that someone was complicit in wrongdoing, we will support holding that person accountable."