Honduran Held in Death of Sergeant

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Authorities detained a Honduran soldier Friday in the shooting death last week of a U.S. Army sergeant at the Palmerola air base in Honduras.

A Honduran military spokesman declined to name the suspect until investigations into the killing were completed and did not provide details as to reasons for the man’s arrest or possible motives in the case.

The body of Army Staff Sgt. Randal Harris was taken to El Paso, Tex., on Friday morning, officials said. Harris, 34, of Wilmington, Ohio, was shot last Saturday while on duty at the Palmerola air base. The base is used to stage training exercises for about 1,200 U.S. regular, reserve and National Guard forces.

U.S. Army spokesman Lt. Col. James Lawson said Monday that Harris was shot twice in the legs and once in the back. Military officials were uncertain what kind of gun was used and whether the shots were fired from inside or outside the base.

The Honduran military spokesman said the arrested soldier will remain in custody until a joint U.S.-Honduran jurisdiction panel completes its investigation.