TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command Spokesperson U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins provided the following statement:
Out of respect for our Gold Star families, we ask for media outlets and journalists to exercise patience and abstain from publishing reports on fallen service members until the formal investigation and notification processes are completed.
We remain fully committed to providing at the appropriate time additional information accurately and transparently, while respecting the privacy of our grieving families.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.