Former Marine, and researcher for Blaze Media, Jason Buttrill was reportedly recalled to the U.S. after tweeting a photo of himself Thursday allegedly firing a rifle at ISIS
Buttrill’s tweet featured a photo of himself behind a rifle somewhere in Iraq. He followed up the photo with another tweet saying he managed to get six shots fired at ISIS. The Blaze network wrote a story about the incident, before releasing a statement announcing Buttrill’s recall.
“Jason Buttrill is a valued researcher for Mercury Radio Arts for a television show that airs on TheBlaze network. Given his military and security background, Mr. Buttrill was offered the opportunity for an important research assignment in Iraq. Due to his conduct, Mercury Radio Arts has recalled him back to the U.S. He has been suspended from further field research assignments,” the statement declared.
Buttrill’s recall to the U.S. came after critics pointed out that western journalists have been targeted by foreign governments in the past, under the guise that they are purported intelligence agents. “Jason, journalists are detained and killed all over the world over false accusations of being combatants. This doesn’t help,” Senior Research Associate at the Committee to Protect Journalists fired back.
Buttrill apologize for the incident Sunday over Twitter, saying “I failed to appreciate that my actions could put the lives of combat journalists at greater risk.” Buttrill continued, “I am truly sorry. As a former Marine, I am hardwired to want to shoot at the bad guys. As a member of a media organization, I should have known better. I do now. In the future, I’ll leave the shooting to the combatants.”
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