21-year-old dies after ‘altercation’ with fellow soldier on Alabama base, military says

A 21-year-old died after an “altercation” with a fellow soldier on a military base in Alabama, officials told news outlets.

Pvt. Abdul N. Latifu — known as a “promising young soldier” — landed at Fort Rucker for a training course. But his life was cut short after he was hurt “during an incident with another soldier,” the U.S. military wrote in a news release.

The two reportedly got into an “altercation,” prompting Latifu to receive medical care. The 21-year-old died from his injuries on Tuesday, Jan. 10, officials told the Dothan Eagle newspaper and WDHN.

“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 in a news release. “Together we mourn the loss of a promising young soldier. Our hearts are with the families and units impacted by the incident.”

The Fort Rucker Department of Public Safety took the other soldier involved in the incident into custody, according to the military.

“Fort Rucker leaders are working closely with military police and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division as the investigation continues,” McCurry wrote.

After Latifu’s death, the military announced that counselors, chaplains and other resources were available to offer support.

Officials said Latifu had been “assigned to the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, as he trained as an Army air traffic control operator.” He was from the Bronx borough of New York City.

Fort Rucker — located about 95 miles southeast of Montgomery, Alabama — didn’t immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on Jan. 12.

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