Stabbing victim recently returned from Iraq
Posted On: Wednesday, Nov. 25 2009 05:10 AM
By Victor O'Brien
Killeen Daily HeraldFort Hood officials released new details Tuesday about a 20-year-old soldier Killeen police say was stabbed to death over the weekend by a 23-year-old soldier.
The victim, Spc. David L. Middlebrooks had only been home from deployment with the 1st Cavalry Division since June.
Donnie Kenneth Stevens Jr. is accused of stabbing and killing Middlebrooks during a party early Sunday morning.
Stevens, also a 1st Cavalry Division soldier, remained in Bell County Jail Tuesday on a $1 million bond facing a murder charge.
Middlebrooks, a native of Marianna, Fla., joined the Army in July 2007 as an infantryman, according to a III Corps news release. He was assigned to Bravo Troop, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since November 2007.
Middlebrooks returned from deployment in June after he deployed in June 2008 as part of Operation: Iraqi Freedom.
His decorations and awards included the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
According to Killeen police, Stevens ran at and stabbed Middlebrooks at a party around 5 a.m. Sunday. The soldier who resides at 111 Prather Drive, where the stabbing happened, declined comment Tuesday.
Middlebrooks was rushed to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:50 a.m. Sunday.
Contact Victor O'Brien at
vobrien@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468.