Family identifies Carson soldier killed in Afghanistan

KENNEWICK, WASH. — Relatives say a 21-year-old man who grew up in Kennewick, Wash., was one of the U.S. soldiers killed in an attack at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

The Tri-City Herald reports that Joelle Ellis of Kennewick said her son, Spc. 4 Robby Wayne Ellis, was standing at a bus stop on the base with other soldiers when he was hit.

American officials have confirmed four U.S. troops were killed when the base came under attack late Tuesday by indirect fire — likely a mortar or rocket.

Ellis was an Army truck driver. He served in the 32nd Transportation Co., based at Fort Carson, Colo. The newspaper said he was seven months into his first tour of duty in Afghanistan and was due to return to the U.S. in August. He had re-enlisted for another five years.