Army Paratrooper Shot in the Foot During Live-Fire Exercise at Fort Bragg

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A U.S. Army Paratrooper practices using his shotgun to break door locks.
A U.S. Army Paratrooper practices using his shotgun to break door locks during urban combat training on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 17, 2019. (U. S. Army/Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hull)

A paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina was wounded in the left foot today during a live-fire exercise, and is now recovering at the base hospital.

Army officials from Bragg would not identify the 1st Brigade Combat Team soldier, but said he suffered non life-threatening injuries, according to a news release from the 82nd Airborne.

The incident occurred while soldiers were moving through a shoot-house, clearing rooms and firing live ammunition, according to a Fort Bragg official.

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"Someone engaged a target and a bullet ricocheted and it basically struck the soldier in the foot," the official said.

Army officials did not say what weapon was involved in the incident.

The soldier was taken to Womack Army Medical Center on base, where he remains and is recovering from the injury, the official said.

The incident is currently under investigation, according to the release.

"We take the safety and well-being of our paratroopers very seriously and will ensure both the recovery of this paratrooper and the investigation of the incident are handled with the utmost care," Col. Andrew Saslav, 1 BCT commander, said in the release.

Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

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