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Brent Taylor, a member of the Utah National Guard and Mayor of North Ogden, was injured in an attack in Afghanistan and died on November 3, 2018, officials said.(Photo: Facebook)
A mayor of Utah was killed in Afghanistan during an "attack attack" while serving with the Utah National Guard in Kabul, the second attack murderer of this type in the war – torn country in less than a month.
According to the Defense Department, one member of the armed forces was killed and another wounded on Saturday by a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. According to initial reports, the attacker was killed by other Afghan forces, the Pentagon said.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox identified the deceased member of the military service as Brent Taylor, 39, a married, seven-year-old father and mayor of North Ogden, Utah.
"I hate it, I struggle to find words," Cox said in a Facebook post. "I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie, and his seven adorable kids.T Utah is crying them today."
The Pentagon said the attack was under investigation and revealed no other details.
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Last month, an Afghan bodyguard opened fire at a meeting in Kandahar province between local leaders and the US Supreme Commander in Afghanistan. Three senior provincial officials were killed and three Americans were injured, although General Austin Miller is unscathed.
Taliban militants, who have recently experienced a resurgence in Afghanistan, have claimed responsibility for the attack. NATO and US forces deployed more troops to support Afghan forces fighting the Taliban and the remnants of Islamic State active in the country. Taylor, who was involved in this effort, said he was in Afghanistan to help train Afghan troops.
James Piazza, a professor specializing in political violence in the Islamic world in the state of Penn, said that there was information of "severe demoralization" and desertion of Afghan troops.
"Attacks like this are threatening to create a gap between US military personnel and Afghan forces," Piazza said today at USA TODAY. "If US military personnel sent to Afghanistan to help support and train Afghan forces do not trust his Afghan counterparts, it is hard to imagine that our support will be very effective."
Taylor has been Mayor of the 17,000 residents of North Ogden since 2013. He has also served for more than ten years as a National Guard officer, including seven years on active duty. Previously, he toured the war in Iraq and Afghanistan twice. He started another one – year tour in Afghanistan in January.
Taylor, PhD student in International Relations at the University of Utah, has frequently posted war zone photos on social media. He has always been optimistic, noting even in an April article: "I adore the dedicated American and Afghan soldiers with whom I serve every day." The dedication of the Afghan soldiers is particularly inspiring. "
His last post, October 28, expressed admiration for millions of Afghans who braved threats and attacks to vote in last month's parliamentary elections.
"As the United States prepares to vote in our own elections next week, I hope that everyone at home will exercise its precious right to vote," he said. "And whether Republicans or Democrats win, we all remember that we have many more Americans who unite us than we divide … God bless America."
Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, called Taylor "a hero, a wonderful father and a dear friend". Utah Governor Gary Herbert said he was heartbroken when he heard news that a Utah soldier had been killed.
Herbert planned a press conference later Sunday to discuss the tragedy.
Cox described Taylor's death as "devastating" and, referring to Taylor's article on Facebook, asked residents of Utah to honor the mayor by voting Tuesday.
"This war again cost us the best blood of a generation," said Cox. "Thank you for your sacrifice, my friend."
Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/11/04/utah-mayor-brent-taylor-killed-afghanistan-insider-attack/1883961002/
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