Army paratrooper Robert Nicoson acquitted after shooting allegations in Syria

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A soldier from the 82nd Airborne Division was fully acquitted Friday evening in a court martial after facing a series of charges stemming from a deadly shooting in Syria in 2020.

“He has been fully acquitted of all allegations,” said Phillip Stackhouse, the civil defense attorney representing Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson, in a statement to the Army Times.

“Sergeant First Class Nicoson and his family continue to be humble and grateful to those who supported him and stood by his side,” he continued, after the military hearing at Fort Bragg, in North Carolina.

Nicoson was initially charged with two counts of disobeying an order, two counts of reckless endangerment, one count of communication threats and three counts of obstructing justice for his role in a shooting fatal event that took place on August 17, 2020, near the city of Qamishli, in northeastern Syria.

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The shootout began when Nicoson’s patrol sought to pass through a pro-regime checkpoint and were initially prevented from doing so. After a discussion with translators, US forces were allowed to pass before facing small arms fire, according to a Task & Purpose report.

U.S. Army soldiers prepare to patrol from a remote combat outpost on May 25, 2021, in northeastern Syria. (Getty Images)

Nicoson’s unit, the Blackhorse Troop of the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, retaliated, killing a Syrian soldier. No US soldiers were injured or killed in the 10-minute incident.

Onlookers videotaped the shooting, but its start was not recorded.

In the months following the shooting, an investigation by the Army’s Civilian Investigations Division determined that Nicoson was at fault.

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The jury – made up of two lieutenant-colonels and six command sergeant-majors – on Friday cleared Nicoson of any wrongdoing and a motion to exonerate him of an eighth charge was granted during the evidence phase , according to the report.

“The trial lasted a week and more than 20 witnesses were called to testify before an experienced combat panel,” Stackhouse added in an email to Army Times. “After just over 2 hours of deliberation, the panel chairman delivered the verdict in open court.”

Lt. Col. Brett Lea, spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division, confirmed the acquittal to the Army Times, but did not comment on its outcome.

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