Ghanaian-American soldier dies after altercation with colleague on military base

A Ghanaian-American soldier succumbed to his injuries after he got into a physical “altercation” with a colleague, officials said. According to The Sun Herald, the incident happened at a military base in Alabama.

The deceased, identified as Pvt. Abdul N. Latifu, was described as a “promising young soldier.” In a news release, the U.S. military said Latifu died after he got wounded “during an incident with another soldier.”

Latifu is said to have succumbed to his injuries on January 10. “I extend our deepest condolences to Pvt. Latifu’s family, friends, and community,” Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry, commander for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, said. “Together we mourn the loss of a promising young soldier. Our hearts are with the families and units impacted by the incident.”

The military said the soldier who was involved in the altercation with Latifu was detained by the Fort Rucker Department of Public Safety. “Fort Rucker leaders are working closely with military police and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division as the investigation continues,” McCurry said.

Prior to his passing, officials said Latifu – a Bronx native – was “assigned to the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, as he trained as an Army air traffic control operator.”