1stLt Blair has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of an Afghani man on 22 April 2010 in the area of Salaam Bazaar in Helmund province, Afghanistan. He is the sole Marine charged with any offenses for this unit and area. 1stLt Blair is also charged with attempted murder at another time by shooting at a suspected insurgent who was riding on a motorcycle. This Afghan man was not injured. 1stLt Blair also has been charged with various other offenses related to these attempted murder charges: false statement; two specifications of assault with a deadly weapon; conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman; assault with intent to commit murder; impeding an investigation; and soliciting another to make a false statement.

Shawn Blair is a solid infantry platoon commander with an otherwise sterling record. He and his platoon were operating in what was perhaps the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan. He and his company were sent to Salaam Bazaar because it was a Taliban stronghold and they were to eradicate the Taliban presence. Shawn was tasked to cover this area despite being short-handed. During his platoon’s occupation in that area, they would be subject to 3-4 firefights every day. Several Marines were killed or wounded in the Salaam Bazaar area of operations. He was often forced to be strict with his Marines to enforce discipline and keep them sharp. Some Marines attached to his platoon made the initial allegations which launched an investigation thereby creating a war crimes case.

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