WASHINGTON (AP) — An ex-Army man who was reduced in rank before his discharge, Wade Michael Page, carried out the shootings at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin that claimed six lives, a federal official said Monday.
The shooter also died in the incident.
The U.S. official declined to be named publicly, noting that he was not authorized to speak while the investigation is still ongoing. Page was described as being 40 years old.
A defense official said the suspect was discharged from the Army in 1998, but he declined to say whether Page received an honorable discharge.
This official, too, spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information yet about the suspect.
But the official told The Associated Press on Monday that Page entered the Army in 1992 and was discharged in 1998. He said the man was busted in rank from sergeant to specialist, but he gave no reason.
Page joined the military in Milwaukee and was a repairman for the Hawk missile system. He later switched jobs to become one of the Army’s psychological operations specialists, the official said.
The so-called “Psy-Ops” specialists are responsible for the analysis, development and distribution of intelligence used for information and psychological effect; they research and analyze methods of influencing foreign populations.
Fort Bragg, N.C., was among bases where Page served.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
About Post Author
