Former Marine, now journalist for “The Blaze,” Jason Buttrill has been recalled from action after tweeting a picture of himself firing a rifle at ISIS.
“Major bucket list completed. Shoot at #ISIS ? Check!” the tweet read.
Buttrill also tweeted that he fired six shots at ISIS.
The Blaze wrote a story about the incident before releasing a statement that they were recalling Buttrill and bringing him back to the U.S.
“Jason Buttrill is a valued researcher for Mercury Radio Arts for a television show that airs on TheBlaze network,” the statement read. “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 US. He has been suspended from further field research assignments.”
Buttrill’s recall came after controversy ignited over social media saying that his actions could have repercussions on other journalists covering the fight against ISIS.
“Jason, journalists are detained and killed all over the world over false accusations of being combatants,” Jason Stern of the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a tweet. “This doesn’t help.”
While the U.S. currently lacks a program for embedding journalists in Iraq, a spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve told Military Times that reporters have the option of coordinating coverage directly with Iraqi security forces.
“We do not accept responsibility for reporters and do not have the logistical capabilities to provide basic life support or transportation to media in Northern Iraq,” Sgt. 1st Class Jose Colon told Military Times.
Buttrill served as an intelligence specialist in the Marine Corps from January 1999 to January 2003 and later was promoted to sergeant in July 2004 while serving in the Individual Ready Reserve, Military Times reported.
Buttrill later apologized on Twitter for shooting at ISIS.
“I failed to appreciate that my actions could put the lives of combat journalists at greater risk.” Buttrill said. “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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