An American CIA contractor named Raymond Davis opened fire in what he alleges was self defense. Davis said he was a consultant employed by the US government but, upon further investigation it was revealed that Davis was a CIA contractor employed for security duties. Davis claims the two men that he shot were trying to rob him of his valuables. The shooting occurred in January 2011. The official reports state that two Pakistani men were shot in the back numerous times, which does not corroborate Davis’ story. The shooting in Lahore left the two Pakistani men dead. The men he killed were low level operatives for Pakistani intelligence. A third man was run over and killed by a U.S. Embassy car trying to save Davis. The shooting took place on a crowded street in front of many witnesses. Davis stopped eventually and was arrested by Pakistani police. Davis was acquitted of the murder charges after apparently paying 2.3 million in blood money to the families of the victims for a pardon. When released from custody he immediately fled the country and went to an undisclosed location. The acquittal and release of Davis has caused an uproar among the Pakistani people and the incident has already strained relations between the United States and Pakistan.
Student Researcher: Brandon Grey
Faculty Instructor: Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D.
Indian River State College
Source: “Lahore shootings fuel US-Pakistan row” Syed Shoaib Hasan, BBC News, February 2011, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12437087