Grieving father sets fire to military vehicle

By Amy Sherman, Hannah Sampson and Phil Long
Knight Ridder Newspapers

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Carlos Arredondo was distraught after hearing that his 20-year-old son, Alexander Arredondo, had died in combat in Najaf the previous night.

"It doesn't appear he was trying to hurt himself," Marine Capt. Patrick Kerr, medical officer for Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans, said in a telephone interview. "He was trying to destroy the vehicle."

Carlos Arredondo, 44, was in serious condition, having suffered second-degree burns on his arms and legs, Hollywood Police Capt. Tony Rode said.

Alexander Arredondo's mother, Victoria Foley of Bangor, Maine, said her son grew up in Massachusetts with her and last saw his father at Christmas. This was Alexander's second tour of duty in Iraq, she said. Foley said the Marines who informed her of Alexander's death did not provide any information about how he died.

"He was in the thick of it; that's all I know," she said.

About 2:14 p.m., Marines went to inform Arredondo of his son's death. The Marines were there for about 20 or 30 minutes before Arredondo started the fire, Marine Maj. Scott Mack said.

Police said Arredondo got a blow torch, a propane tank and a gasoline can. He then broke out the driver's window, opened the door and began pouring gasoline throughout the vehicle, Kerr said. At some point, the van exploded.

Marines extinguished the fire on Arredondo. No Marines were injured, but the van was gutted.

Because of Department of Defense rules, Kerr said he was unable to talk about or identify the Marine who was killed. The military must wait 24 hours after a service member's next of kin is notified before releasing the name to the public.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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