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Indian soldier arrested for Las Vegas shooting


An Indian soldier who spent a year in Iraq was arrested in Las Vegas after allegedly fatally shooting a woman and injuring a man in an incident that may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Matthew Sepi, 20, took an assault rifle to the 7-11 convenience store in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 31, police said. He apparently engaged in some sort of gunfight with Kevin Ratcliff on the street, injuring Ratcliff. Sharon Jackson, a companion of Ratcliff's, was killed.

Sepi told police that he was "engaged" in military training during the incident. His mother said he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his time in Iraq.

Authorities have charged Sepi with murder and attempted murder. His attorneys say the charges may be reduced because he acted in self-defense.

Sepi was described by The Las Vegas Review-Journal as hailing from Winslow, Arizona, but his tribal affiliation was not reported. The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma lists him as Navajo on its Support the Troops web page.

Get the Story:
Vet held after shooting in alley leaves 1 dead (The Arizona Republic 8/3)
Arraignment in shooting delayed (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 8/3)
Iraq veteran arrested in killing (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 8/2)
Military Training Could Have Factored Into Shooting Death (KVBC 8/2)