Idaho soldier killed in Iraq

BOISE – An Idaho soldier died Saturday in Baghdad, becoming at least the 18th person from the state to be killed in Iraq since the United States invaded in March 2003.

Spc. James Lee Bridges, 22, of Buhl, died from a gunshot wound, according to the Department of Defense. Bridges was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Striker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright in Alaska, a news release said.

A spokeswoman with the Army Public Affairs office in Virginia said she didn’t have any details of Bridges’ death. Attempts to contact members of Bridges’ family in Southern Idaho weren’t successful.