Military

Details emerge about soldier killed in Niger

Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson died in a hail of gunfire, hit as many as 18 times as he took cover in thick brush, fighting to the end after fleeing militants who had just killed three comrades in an October ambush in Niger, the Associated Press has learned.

A military investigation has concluded that Johnson wasn't captured alive or killed at close range, dispelling rumors about how he died.

The report has determined that Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Fla., was killed by enemy rifle and machine gun fire from members of an Islamic State offshoot, said U.S. officials familiar with the findings. The Oct. 4 ambush took place about 120 miles north of Niamey, the capital. Johnson's body was recovered two days later.

U.S. officials familiar with the findings spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity to describe details of an investigation that has not been finalized or publicly released.

A 12-member Army Special Forces unit was accompanying

30 Nigerien troops when they were attacked by as many as

50 militants traveling by vehicle and carrying small arms and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Four U.S. soldiers and four Nigerien troops were killed. Two U.S. and eight Nigerien troops were wounded.

— Associated Press

Puerto Rico

Report: U.S. response to hurricane a 'failure'

Housing is urgently needed for tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who lack power and a regular source of safe water nearly three months after Hurricane Maria damaged their homes, Refugees International says in a report.

The nonprofit group visited the U.S. territory in recent weeks to survey needs and review the response by local and federal officials in the aftermath of the Category 4 storm, marking the first time it has organized a mission to a U.S. jurisdiction. In a report, the group said its team was shocked by poor coordination and logistics that have caused delays in aid. It noted that the island is still in emergency mode.

"There was a failure of leadership and a failure to appreciate the magnitude of the situation and the need for extraordinary action by U.S. officials," Eric Schwartz, the group's president and a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for population, refugees and migration, said in a phone interview. "These people are our fellow Americans. The response of the federal authorities should have been and should be much stronger than it was and much stronger than it is."

Officials with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency did not return a request for comment Sunday.

— Associated Press

Community mourns students killed in New Mexico shooting: Hundreds of people gathered Sunday in northwestern New Mexico for a memorial service and bonfire to remember a 17-year-old student killed in a school shooting rampage in the small city of Aztec. Casey Jordan Marquez was a cheerleader who planned to travel to Florida to perform as part of a cheer squad during the upcoming Orange Bowl. She and Francisco "Paco" Fernandez, 17, were killed on Dec. 7 when a gunman disguised as a student opened fire inside Aztec High School. Authorities have said William Atchison, 21, planned the attack, but the victims weren't targeted. People were asked to write messages to put on the wood for the bonfire at Marquez's service. Many of the mourners were cheerleaders from all over New Mexico's San Juan County. They presented a cheer bow and a shadow box to Marquez's mother. Friends said Marquez had a big heart and always helped people, including showing new students around Aztec High. Students will return to the school Monday.

SpaceX capsule used on resupply mission: A recycled SpaceX capsule is back at the International Space Station, just in time for Christmas. NASA astronauts used the space station's big robot arm to grab the Dragon capsule out of orbit Sunday. It's the second visit for this particular supply ship, which made a delivery for NASA in 2015, as well.

— From news services