Puyallup Soldier Was First Killed In Niger Ambush: Pentagon

PUYALLUP, WA - The Department of Defense on Thursday released its investigation into a 2017 ambush in Niger that left four U.S. soldiers dead, including Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, 35, of Puyallup.

The soldiers were part of a reconnaissance mission along the Mali-Niger border in October when they were ambushed. The report states that Black was the first casualty, and likely died of his wounds instantly.

After the lead two vehicles began moving they lost visual contact with the third vehicle. SSG Wright entered the third vehicle and began driving it slowly south while SSG J. Johnson and SSG Black moved next to the vehicle using it as cover while providing suppressive fire. During the movement, enemy small arms fire hit SSG Black killing him instantly. SSG Wright halted the vehicle and dismounted. Despite increasing enemy fire, both SSG Wright and SSG J. Johnson remained with SSG Black and attempted to provide cover and assess his wounds.

Overrun by enemy fighters, SSG Wright and SSG J. Johnson were forced to evade on foot. Approximately 85 meters from the vehicle, enemy small arms fire hit SSG J. Johnson, severely wounding him. SSG Wright stopped, returned to SSG J. Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed by small arms fire. SSG Black, SSG Wright, and SSG J. Johnson were never captured alive by the enemy. As enemy fighters advanced through the ambush site, they fired several additional bursts into the bodies of the three Soldiers.

Here's the full report: