Point Blank: The Shooting of Sgt. Cole

Chris, were you able to interview the soldiers who were witnesses to the event and whom you said changed their stories? Were there any repercussions to them for lying in an attempt to assist in the coverup? Is it your conclusion that if Cole had died, then we (and his family) would never have learned the truth?

comment on McCain to me he was safe, first he is not black and Prasenski wasn't drunk so McCain I felt had nothing to worry about.. now the black man standing next to him

anyway now my question why is it that Tim Sandler piece, mentions racial tension and your video doesn't to me this was a hate crime through and through

"Cole, however, didn't take Prasenski's words as racist. It was common trash talk among soldiers, he says. (Looking back, he recalls a sign on Prasenski's microwave — "No @!$%#s allowed in this microwave" — and wonders if there may have been more to it.) "

what happen is Cole seems to me to be a very together young man and Prasenski resented him and all it took was a bottle of Jack Daniels to bring out his racism and resentment

I like your work Chris you do a great job, but why is it that your piece doesn't mention the race factor

and also Cole mentioned he didnt know if he could have kids.. what is Artificial insemination not a option in his case?

final thought Prasenski crazy act is what I have been saying for years Racist are in need of psychiatric help

Chris,

I have a problem with the lack of outrage within this report. Where's on camera reports from the wife and family. This story doesn't make sense. Isn't this attempted murder and why isn't this considered as a hate crime?

It is unfortunate and horrible that Sgt. Dwayne Cole endured: (1) getting shot by a 'drunk' soldier on the same team; (2) knowing that army officials tried to cover up the incident because they thought Cole would die; and (3) knowing that the sentence was so light.

From reading the Internal Reports documents, it appeared that it was not the first time that 'the shooter' pointed a gun at Cole. Why were the previous 'pistol pointing' occasions not swiftly dealt with?

This was tragic and can be viewed as attempted murder. From Cole's account of what happened, it was premeditated and deliberate. Cole was supposed to be killed. But he wasn't.

In some Courts, people get 20, 30 or even 40 years for attempted murder and the other crimes that go with it; i.e aggravated assault; etc.

After the outrage, Cole remains paralyzed; possibly for life. And what is worse, his is concerned that he may never have children.

This story needs to be promoted more.

I watched the video and it bought tears to my eyes. I know Sgt. Cole and his wife and they are good people. They were enjoying married life, as well as their youth and then just like that...it was taken away by some envious, racist person. I too don't understand why soldier Prasenski was not charged with a hate crime, attempted murder (because that is in fact what it was) AND why was he not given a lengthier sentence? The justice system is very messed up and it seems for the army, it's even worse. Whose to say he won't come out and try again and maybe this time succeed in killing someone from a race he doesn't like? Is that what it's going to take for him to get some real time..to kill someone first? Sgt. Cole could have lost his life and if he had, we would of never known the true story because Prasenski and those two other soldiers would have stuck to their stories and no one would of been the wiser. Also, why were the two soldiers not given any time. They lied, MORE THAN ONCE and all they got was a little repriimand and that's it? It's not right. This story needs to be publicized and stiffer punishment needs to be given to the three so called men that were there the night Sgt. Cole almost lost his life.

It is unfortunate and horrible that Sgt. Dwayne Cole endured: (1) getting shot by a 'drunk' soldier on the same team; (2) knowing that army officials tried to cover up the incident because they thought Cole would die; and (3) knowing that the sentence was so light.

From reading the Internal Reports documents, it appeared that it was not the first time that 'the shooter' pointed a gun at Cole. Why were the previous 'pistol pointing' occasions not swiftly dealt with?

This was tragic and can be viewed as attempted murder. From Cole's account of what happened, it was premeditated and deliberate. Cole was supposed to be killed. But he wasn't.

In some Courts, people get 20, 30 or even 40 years for attempted murder and the other crimes that go with it; i.e aggravated assault; etc.

After the outrage, Cole remains paralyzed; possibly for life. And what is worse, his is concerned that he may never have children.

This story needs to be promoted more.

I know SSG Cole personally an it is a shame what happen to him. The Army tired to cover it up by telling his family that he was shot while cleaning his weapon or during a training execrise . I also heard that the soldier that shot SSG Cole was not suppose to be carrying a weapon anyway because he was not mentally stable because he witness a soldier killed in the unit a couple of day before he shot SSG Cole. What happen to the chain of command? I think that they should be held responsible also because like those two lower enlisted soldiers they also lied to SSG Cole Family and the should have been more aware of the SGT behavior. I think the Army should treat this as a hate crime and SGT P should get the maxium punishment allowed. In the mean time SSG Cole is trying to regain his independence back.

SSG Cole I wish you nothing but luck and I will continue to keep you in my prayers. I am so glad that you never gave up on telling your story.

TMH

I know SSG Cole personally. HE is a very good friend of mine. It's a damn shame what happened to him. I was there during that tour. SSG Cole was always calm and collected; I don't know him to have had problems with anyone. Prior to his injury, he had big dreams. Dreams that he will no longer be able to pursuit.

Prasenski should have never been able to return to Iraq after his injury. That's something I will never understand. They can hold soldiers back from being deployed for having dental problems, and other crazy stuff, but yet they will allow a soldier, who can't turn his neck around without spending his entire body around. I really don't know the purpose of his return. He could not go on any mission. He could not carry the M16 that was issued to everyone else. He was buddy buddy with the commander and 1SGT, so he was able to get away with a lot of stuff. Now he wants to act like he all crazy and stuff. We all know that he faked all the drooling and shaking. There was nothing wrong with him. We all now know him to be a liar. Do you think he was doing anything different than that? That is always the route murderers and criminals take when they want to get off the hock...ACT CRAZY!!!

It's no secret that the commander and 1SGT were part of the cover up, because they know that their careers would be on the line. Everyone was looking out for themselves, meanwhile a poor injured soldier has to depend on someone else to help him with his "basic" everyday activity.

The crime scene was constantly being tempered with. They had soldiers going in and cleaning up. I believe the area should have been concealed and guarded by military police, but instead "Staff Sergeant" was guarding it within the company. I have never been racist person, but I fell that if Prasenski was the shooter, they story would have had a different ending. Furthermore, the punishment would have probably been more severe if this had happened in the civilian would. Explain to me how someone tells you that he is going to shoot you point blank, and actually shot you, and he receives just 4 years in prison. Meanwhile they have people going to prison longer than that, for killing dogs. It's quite interesting that those soldier involved were allowed to roam the entire FOB with no restrictions after such crime, but they had one soldier who had to be escorted to the limited places he could go on the FOB for 45 days.

The thing about it  that really piss me off is this soldier have a history of pointing his weapon at people in the unit and no one bother to tell anyone about it. It is only after the fact that they deem it necessary to come forward, when it was too late. I over heard a conversation between  Parsenski's roomate and another soldier about a month before the incident, that he was affrid of sleeping in the same CHU with him  because he would wake up and that same 9mm that shot SSG cole would be in his face. I told that soldier that he need to talk to the 1SG or the Commander.

I have known Sgt Cole and wife for many years. What I would like to know, is when will this be aired on television? This story needs to be told so that our people can what can happen to us when we try to serve our country. I understand there is a case being handled, but I feel this should be aired and brought to people's attention. We watched our families and friends go away to war and pray that nothing like this would happen, but it does, and to know that the military is sweeping or trying to sweep this under the rug is dam wrong. Sgt Cole is a good man/husband, and I would not like to see that happen. I also agree with all those emailing this does seem like a hate crime and justice needs to be served.

I hope this is not a second posting. I had entered some info previously but do not see it so I am rewriting.

I have known Sgt. Cole and wife for many years and would like to know. Why this is not on the news as of yet? This information should be seen on the news to make our people aware of what happens when you try to do for your country. We watch our friends and family go to war and pray nothing like this ever happens. This cover up up is not right and I agree hate crime is written all over this. Why are they trying to cover up this situation? Who exactly is Parenski? Who is he in relation to/with?  Why does he get off so easy?

 Sgt Cole is a good man/husband and it will really be a dam shame if justice isn't served.

I am appalled at the lack of justice that has occurred in this case. How can a military judge sentence the shooter to only 4 years in prison? I am not a lawyer by profession but after not only watching this video and reading the transcripts the words premeditated and deliberate manslaughter keep jumping out at me.

Chris this story needs to be revisited and addressed on a National level to raise awareness of the injustice in the military court system. It worries me as a fellow American that our sons and daughters are laying there lives on the line for this country and there are being denied a basic right "JUSTICE". It also rises the question of how many more SSGT Coles are they out there whose story never made it to such a medium. I cannot begin to comprehend the hurt and frustration Cole and his family are going through after being a victim of the system not once by several times.

Moreover like SSG Prasenski who should have never been sent back to the battle field as some of the prior post made mention of. There is the CPT, 1SGT, the soldiers that lied and senior members of Coles unit that were involved in the cover up that are being redeployed to the front lines to lead our sons and daughters. Whatever happened to the army core values Honor, Duty Respect, Integrity and Selfless Service? How can people of such low moral character be allowed to remain in the army? Is the Army stretched so thin that any live body will do?  If they are covering up internal incidents (One of their own) God knows we are definitely not hearing the truth about civilian causalities.

Mr. Hansen I implore you to revisit this story from a journalist stand point. I would like to see what the Cole family has to say about the situation or even an interview with the Prasenski family members. Explore the racism issue and for us who are oblivious to military law find out if Cole can possible file an appeal or bring a civil suit against the Army and Pransenski.

 Also SSG Cole try reaching out to your congressman or state senator for help this is an election year. Write to senator McCain and see what he thinks .I am sure he wouldn’t mind. This is a story that people need to hear as there is a call today for more troops in Afghanistan. Forget about Brittney and Paris and get this story on a prime time slot.

BB

I am a member of Dwayne Coles family i am his cousin and one of his biggest supporter. My cousin went out there with a strong heart,mind, body and soul to do what he felt was right for his country. My family replays the phone calls and heart break we felt that morning that we received at 6am. The cover up and the lies that we heard that morning brought my family to total outrage and lets not forget this was his mothers birthday. This is a birthday that she will never forget. These difficult times has affected my aunts health and mental state.
My cousin never one day thought that the person on his team would cause him any arm, but unfortunately he was wrong. Dwayne Cole is a great son,husband,cousin and most of all an excellent soldier.On that horrific day that man took away my cousins right to have kids,walk,and do everyday things on his own but one thing he could never take away is his love and dedication to his family and friends.
This report needs to be on front page it needs the attention that it deserves this man only got 4.5 years in jail where is the justice? Would it had been different if the shoe was on the other foot?. There are some many questions left unanswered and so many tears that fall from my eyes and everyone in my family. I want the world to see and feel my cosins pain, I want to stop other mothers from going through what my aunt went through. And i want these two candidates John McCain and Obama to see the scares my cousin and our entire family is left with.

I am a soldier that was deployed to Q-West at the time of this incident. As I watched this on Dateline I am deeply saddened. It is sad to say that I was right there on Q-West and never knew the truth until now. This is such a tragedy and in my opinion, could have been prevented in so many ways. The signs were there, they were just ignored; which makes the command team responsible as well. However no one is ultimately to blame except for SGT Prasenski. How you can just shoot one of your fellow soldiers for no apparent reason, I will never understand. He definitely deserved more than what he got. This story should be given more attention because justice has not been served and it needs to be.

I never had the pleasure to meet SSG Coles during my time in Q-West but my heart goes out to him and his family. I will keep this family in my prayers and I will pray for this family to receive the justice they so deserve!!!!!!!

As for SGT Prasenski you undoubtedly changed so many lives.....there are no words to express the harm and hurt you have caused.

I think this goes well beyond money, SSGT COLE in my eyes is to me the very essence of what is wrong with the entire country where the good at heart and soul standing and fighting for justice and equality ...is this not part of what we fight for in IRAQ and here it is bluntly in our faces....I just feel angry inside BC and please I will keep quite for awhile after this but look into this case good really good into this people and see that this is REAL this here is the TRUTH there is but one cover up no other and they did it ...why

maybe for thier carriers..maybee not to remain in IRAQ for much longer BC we where there for 18 months I don't know the answer to that ....the only fact that I do know is

SGT Prasenski shot SSGT Cole and it was both racial and against our law our justice and morals by every count this is against everything we fought for and stood for...and to finish it off it happened amongst soldiers!

I think ALL soldiers volunteered to join and we fight of our free will and risk our lives and but ourselves in harms way thinking a fellow soldier has my back and yet there are those that obvously took care of themselves without thought of SGT COLES life and family's well being

Again we come to situation where the people on top took what that could with no care of us at the bottom with no care to anyone but themselves

and what was done

Nothing! are you serous! MY QUESTION is this

what has happened to US in the USA

Kennedy ounce said

Ask not what your country can do for you but what can you do for the country

well I served and proudly and for all those served before me i stand with you as a brother a friend a BATTLE BUDDY but Prasenski broke a bound one set in blood of our forefathers in this country and every single person that aided him ...should share one cell for along long time.....AMEN!

   They say training gone bad, but when from my experiences as a soilder in Iraq, all you're training involving live amo is done prior to iraq, the only time a soilder uses live amuniton in theater (war zone) is to kill someone point blank. This is an extremely poor attempt at a cover up that even stevie wonder could see through. I think mr. prusenski, and I say mr, beacause he's no sergent in my eyes, cause a sergent looks out for his soliders and looking out is something he most certaintly didnt do, but like I was saying he and his conspirators aught to serve alot of time behind this inocent mans demise. Let it had been a cop that he shot and it would be a whole-nother ball game. wheres the justice in this 4yrs, thats straight bullish where as you have a man who may never walk again or be able to run with his children a mans life was taken without being taken and all mr. prusenski revieved was 4yrs and is up for parole, Fnuk that!

I was at FOB Q-West at the time of this incident, I was very good friends with the same people that SGT Cole new, they were in 773rd Transportation Company, I knew SGT Cole because we all useto go to the little spot at the Terkish Mall, to listen to reggae music and have a good time.  This was a place to relax and forget about the stresses of war for a few hours.  That evening of the incident I happend to be over on that side but I did not live at that PAD, I was not suppose to be over there at that time because we had curfew, It was either PAD 5 or 105 because I stayed in one of those PADS and SGT COle and his unit stayed in the other I just don't remember it has been over a year.  We heard the shot my friend and I was looking at each other like what the hell was that, the friend left me to go see what is was, he came back and said one of your buddies got shot, the rest of that night I could not sleep one because I was scared of getting caught over there and two because someone I knew got hurt. The next morning I was going in the DEFAC and ran into a female that I knew said, hey did you hear what happend I said no, she said Cole got shot I said are you serious I was over there last night and heard the shot, I was like what happend, who did it. She said SGT P, I was like are you serious, but she didn't know much.  SO I looked for one of my close buddies who was in that unit and he told me what had happend, I could not believe it, it was my first tour in Iraq and I could not believe things like this happends on the FOB, not only are you fighting the enemy on the outside but you have enemies among you, people who you are suppose to depend on life or death.  I was not surprised they tried to cover it up, this is something that happends on a day to day basis.  I am writing and voicing my thoughts because I have a husband serving in Iraq right now doing the samethings SGT Cole did and god forbid something happend to him, me being a Soldier myself would question every little thing because I know how the military is, we are fighting a war and this is how we get treated by the same people you put your trust and your life in, I ran into someone today who told me that SGT Cole was satying in Maryland to go to Rehab in Virginia, I immediately ask for his number so I can call and send my prayers to him and his family. Its sad when you constantly have the same people going back and forth to Iraq to fight this battle when there are many who are hiding out avoiding the deployments, we have people that been in 15 plus years who have not seen the battle field, but send the ones that are 18, 19, 20, but this is the world we live in

Chris,

My question is what can we do to make a difference, things like this happens everyday in the military?

Wow...what an unbelievable story. This makes me angry. It's funny how when an African-American mentions racism or merely implies it they are sometimes looked upon as paranoid, stuck in the past, or "using the race card" BS...its still alive and kicking. I pray for Sgt. cole and his family. This story needs to be aired for the american public to see.

 I am shock at the lack of response from other soldiers, shock at the lack of responses period.....Does no one really not care for a soldier? Can MSNBC air this right in between the debate so maybe to raise some attention this way ..What about a real investigation?

Cole ship took it near the engine when Bush Sr. was in office, The SS Cole.  In my opinion anyone named Cole is being wiped out and set down for dead.  I think the Coles by any color and by any culture are being exterpated quickly.  Cole, Kaul, Kole, you name it and the derrivatives of it are on the hit list, Cole Hall was the hall that was hit by a sniper last year at Illinois State Univ.  They hate the Coles!

extirpated (correction)

It is not bizarre either, I believe the Cole shooting was just another example of a Cole attack.  It looks like no one hates the Coles more than the Joneses.  Maybe Coles don't want to keep up with the Joneses and their offspring.

especially Tammy is a Cole hater

What I mean is that there is a virus of hatred and for some reason the investigation dicks have not put it all together.  I felt the sensation of the Cole attack many years ago.  In Reno Nevada the Kauls were killed and left for dead in their basement the case finally went cold.  Must be something that runs hot that wants to rub out the cole (d) (not funny but not intended as humor only macabre sarcasm).  There was a Michael and a Tammy that hated the Coles but that was a long time ago and the story is probably more fiction than fact any more.  Something about a choice or making a faulty choice or the choice being likely to be faulty.  Sad though, the way those that chase to cover lies and to deceive for the sake of inheritance or sanquinity will do anything to win.  I used to think it was evil but later I thought that since it is not possible to steal from a thief it can not be possible to lie to a liar.