Details sketchy in on-post killing of a retired soldier

BULLETIN: AUTHORITIES charged Sgt. Wessel with murder and assault with intent to commit murder.

Ft. Hood – Army investigators are releasing few details, but the picture that emerges tells a story of an early-morning dispute that ended in fatal gunplay Sunday, September 1, in an on-post housing area.

Sgt. Brett M. Wessel is held in pre-trial detention while Criminal Investigation Division detectives investigate the shooting death of retired Sgt. Ryan F. Dickinson at a housing unit on West Fort Hood, according to public affairs spokesmen. No charges have been preferred as yet.

Sgt. Wessel is a 26-year-old married soldier assigned to 1^st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, lst Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Cavalry Division. He lives in the housing area where the shooting took place.

Army officials say only that the killing did not involve a military operation and “started during a disturbance that began at the housing unit.” Reached for comment, Christopher P. Grey of the Criminal Investigation Command said that the housing area at which the killing took place is reserved for families of married soldiers, and that Sgt. Dickinson was a guest there at the time.

According to the Rules of Courts Martial, a commander has 90 days in which he may move to an Article 32 hearing to determine the evidence supporting a charge once a suspect is placed in pre-trial detention. Charges may be referred either to the Judge Advocate General, or to the U.S. Attorney.