Congressman files bill to honor 2 Ark. soldiers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A U.S. congressman has filed legislation that could make two soldiers shot outside a military recruiting station in Arkansas eligible for the Purple Heart.
A bill filed Thursday by Republican Rep. Tim Griffin of Arkansas says Pvt. William Andrew Long and Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula (ee-ZEEG'-wuh-luh) should be treated as if they were in a combat zone. That would make them eligible for the military award.
Long died in the 2009 shooting. Ezeagwula still has shrapnel in his body.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The man who confessed to shooting them, Abdulhakim Muhammad, deemed himself a jihadist and professed ties to al-Qaida. He pleaded guilty this week during his trial and has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.