Fear drove Blackwater gunner to shoot

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The Blackwater turret gunner for the security detail accused of shooting Iraqi civilians this year says he opened fire, fearing for his life.

In an exclusive ABC report Wednesday, the 29-year-old U.S. Army veteran said that he was forced to open fire on civilians in Baghdad Sept. 16 after one of the civilians began acting suspiciously.

Identified only as "Paul," the key suspect in the growing investigation said that a civilian in a white car had repeatedly ignored his warnings and was approaching his Blackwater convoy.

"Fearing for my life and the lives of my teammates, I engaged the driver and stopped the threat," he said.

"Paul" added he began firing at other individuals after the convoy began taking on small-arms fire from other sources, a description that does not follow investigators' initial findings.

Once the incident concluded, at least 17 Iraqi civilians were dead and allegations of misconduct began.

At least 14 of the civilian deaths have been ruled justifiable by the FBI, The New York Times reported earlier in the day.