Paul Faris Brooks' mother, Barbara Brooks, said her 35-year-old son was on his second tour in Iraq. She said a military chaplain and sergeant arrived at her home this afternoon to notify the family of the death.
U.S. and Iraqi officials said the blast occurred in Baghdad's southern Dora district, where a bomb exploded near an American foot patrol. The U.S. military initially reported nine U.S. personnel were wounded in the attack. Later, the military said it could not confirm that number because the injured were still being evaluated and treated.
Army Maj. David Shoupe said the attack occurred about 10:38 a.m. as the soldiers patrolled near an outdoor market. Iraqi police said a suicide bomber was responsible, but Shoupe said the U.S. could not confirm that. He said four civilians died in the blast, but Iraqi police and hospital officials put the civilian toll at 12 killed and 25 wounded.
