Ex-contractors charged in Afghan shooting deaths

 RALEIGH, N.C. – Two former Blackwater contractors were arrested Thursday on murder charges in the shootings of two Afghans after a traffic accident last year, according to a federal indictment.

 The indictment unsealed hours after the arrests charges Justin Cannon, 27, and Chris Drotleff, 29, with second-degree murder, attempted murder and weapons charges. FBI agents arrested both of them without incident, said Peter Carr, a spokesman with the U.S. attorney’s office in Virginia’s eastern district.

 Both men have told the Associated Press that they were justified in opening fire on a car that caused an accident in front of their vehicle, then turned and sped toward them.

 The indictment says the shooting at a Kabul intersection killed two people. At least one other person was injured.

 “I feel comfortable firing my weapon any time I feel my life is in danger,” Drotleff said in a recent interview. “That night, my life was 100 percent in danger.”

 Drotleff made a first court appearance Thursday afternoon.

Associated Press