YEMEN: HUNT OIL SHOOTINGS - MARCH 21 UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000571

SIPDIS

TERREP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2010
TAGS: PTER ASEC CASC YM
SUBJECT: YEMEN: HUNT OIL SHOOTINGS - MARCH 21 UPDATE

REF: SANAA 520

Classified By: DCM: AGMISENHEIMER FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) The U.S. investigative team from Embassy Sanaa is
continuing to collect evidence regarding the March 18
shootings of Hunt Oil employees in Marib (reftel and
previous). Security circumstances permitting, the team is
planning an additional visit to Marib in the near future to
collect additional evidence and attempt to interview
additonal witnesses.


2. (C) Following is a March 20 report prepared by the team
on its efforts thus far.

Begin Text: From 18 to 19 Mar 03, an U.S. Embassy Sana,a
investigative team comprised of FBI and FPD personnel
traveled to Yemen Hunt Oil Company and the scene of the 18
Mar 03 shooting at Rig 226, approximately 70 KM East of
Marib, Yemen.

- Investigative team conducted preliminary investigative
activity to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding
the shooting incident, which resulted in the death of one
U.S. citizen, a Canadian citizen, a Yemeni citizen and the
critical wounding of another Canadian citizen. The assailant
allegedly committed suicide at the scene.

- On 18 Mar 03, investigative team was met by high
ranking Yemeni law enforcement and military Marib government
officials as well as Yemen Hunt Oil Company management
personnel.

- Yemeni government and law enforcement personnel
provided the investigative team with access to witnesses,
crime scenes and limited access to evidence collected by
Yemeni investigators. All investigative activity, to include
all witness interviews were conducted in the presence of
large numbers of high ranking Yemeni government officials.

- Crime scenes included a double trailer/temporary
building utilized as office space, which was the alleged
location where three individuals were shot and an outside
scene, where allegedly another individual was shot and where
the shooter allegedly committed suicide.

- Investigators were granted access to and examined the
shooter,s corpse at the Military Hospital in Marib, Yemen.
A cursory examination of the corpse revealed one gunshot
wound (entry wound) to the mid section and an apparent
posterior exit wound. Additionally, a large abrasion was
noted on the left rear cranium. Investigators were granted
permission to view the clothing worn by the shooter.

- Information obtained from crime scene searches and
witness interviews to date disclosed the following:

o On 18 Mar 03, at approximately 11:45 hrs, a Yemeni
carpenter employee of Nabors Drilling International Limited,
allegedly shot two Canadians, a U.S. citizen and a Yemeni
national, then allegedly shot and killed himself
o One of the Canadian victims survived the shooting and
is currently being treated for gunshot wounds to abdomen.
o With the exception of the U.S. citizen, who was
employed by Yemen Hunt Oil Company, all others involved in
the incident were Nabors employees.
o Currently motivation of the shooter is unknown.
Investigation is ongoing. End text.


HULL