Episode 38 – The Murder of Specialist Kamisha Block
Episode 38: The Murder of Kamisha Block
In August 2007, Specialist Kamisha Block’s family was told that their 20-year-old daughter had died in Iraq as a result of friendly fire – one shot to the chest. The family was floored. They didn’t quite understand what that meant and they wanted answers. But Kamisha would give them a sign. When Kamisha’s mom, Jane, arrived at the funeral home to see her daughter one last time, she noticed a bullet sized hole on Kamisha’s head that had been covered with makeup. Her knees buckled as she thought – what have they done to my baby girl? And the answer she would get would never quench the Block’s family desire for real answers.
Kamisha had been killed intentionally by another soldier – Staff Sergeant Paul Brandon Norris. Norris and Kamisha had been dating on and off for a few months and their relationship was against military regulations.
Let’s dig in and discuss the life and death of Kamisha Block.
Kamisha Block.
Image found here.
If you want to help Shonta Block in her journey to get a Congressional Hearing, please call!
I found this video of Kamisha that was posted on YouTube in January 2020.
By watching the video, you can tell how fun loving and easy going she was in life.
12NewsNow covered the 2019 re-opening of the Army investigation into Kamisha’s death.
Staff Sergeant Paul Brandon Norris.
Image found here.
Episode 38 Resources:
- https://www.stripes.com/news/us/army-reopens-case-of-2007-murder-suicide-that-was-originally-called-friendly-fire-1.577635
- https://www.stripes.com/news/us/army-closes-investigation-into-allegations-of-a-coverup-in-2007-murder-suicide-in-iraq-1.634431
- https://jezebel.com/whats-the-military-hiding-about-lavena-johnson-kamish-5167565
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOiJMJSYkw0 (12 News Investigates – Justice for Kamisha Block)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_EMd7d7Cp0 (2020 Vigil for Kamisha)
- https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-spc-kamisha-j-block/2984017
- https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/beaumontenterprise/obituary.aspx?n=kamisha-jane-block&pid=93009247
- https://www.fallenheroesproject.org/united-states/kamisha-jane-block/ (Fallen Heroes Project)
- https://www.maxim.com/gear/love-and-death-iraq (Maxim’s Love & Death in Iraq)
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/exposed-military-lied-abo_b_108426 (Huff Post – Exposes: Military Lied About Murder of U.S. Soldier in Iraq)
- https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Questions-linger-on-SE-Texas-soldier-s-death-13642436.php
- https://www.cullmantimes.com/community/report-local-soldier-murdered-compatriot/article_4e9c944c-572e-5b62-bb72-0070ed340f0e.html (The Cullman Times)
- https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2008/6/20/539164/-#comment_20183774
- https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/texas-paper-learns-local-woman-died-in-friendly-fire-incident-in-iraq/ (initial reporting – “Friendly Fire”)
- https://www.editorandpublisher.com/news/military-told-media-and-family-that-it-was-friendly-fire-but-it-was-murder/ (Greg Mitchell)
- https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/DA/20080414/News/606108725/TL
