Congressman Asks President to Award Soldiers in Little Rock Attack
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: June 2, 2012
Congressman Tim Griffin has issued a letter to President Barack Obama, questioning the Commander-in-Chief's opposition to awarding Purple Hearts to service men shot outside a recruiting center in Little Rock.
Private William Andrew Long was killed and Private Quinton Ezeagwula injured in the 2009 shooting.
Long's killer, Abdulhakim Muhammad, is serving a life sentence in prison after pleading guilty last July.
Griffin is requesting purple hearts for both servicemen, saying they were victims of an international terrorist attack.
"The individual who perpetrated this traveled overseas, lived overseas, studied Al-Qaida, changed his name and shot those members in Little Rock. They deserve the Purple Heart. It's that simple," said Congressman Griffin.
The Obama administration says the incident in Little Rock was tried as a criminal case under state jurisdiction and awarding the men the purple heart could cause issues with judicial appeals.
Griffin argues no issues with appeals would exist because Muhammad pleaded guilty and waived his right to any appeals process.
