Politics & Government

Spc. Ricky Elder's Final Facebook Post Before the Shooting

Facts are coming together about last Thursday's fatal Fort Bragg shooting, but many questions are still pending.

While unanswered questions surrounding on Fort Bragg remain, media outlets are piecing together and uncovering facts about Ricky Elder.

According to a July 3 Fayetteville Observer report, Elder's Facebook page revealed a disturbing message one hour before the 2:29 p.m. incident on June 28 in which the 27-year-old Elder shot his battalion commander, Lt. Col. Roy L. Tisdale, after a safety briefing before turning the gun on himself at the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Special Troops Battalion:

"My mind in the past couple of years has folded on itself. I just went to the Dr. and they said I just tested positive for Dementia."

Find out what's happening in Fort Braggfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Within the Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Facebook communities, people are asking questions that have not been addressed by Fort Bragg in the pending investigation. Some of them include:

What kind of weapon did Elder use? Was it a privately owned weapon?

Find out what's happening in Fort Braggfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

If it was his government issue weapon, how did he get it from the arms room?

Where did Elder run to following the shooting?

Does Fort Bragg plan to change any procedures regarding weapons possession or storage?

Why was Elder taken to Cape Fear and not Fort Bragg's Medical Center?

Had Lt. Col. Tisdale had previous negative interactions with Spc. Elder prior to the shooting?

Was Lt. Col. Tisdale responsible for the Spc. Elder's final discipline infraction that led to his court-martial?

You might also be interested in:

 

As facts are released during the investigation, receive updates and breaking news in your inbox. Read the full story behind what the Fayetteville Observer has uncovered here.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Fort Bragg