A family member of a South Florida soldier spoke to NBC 6 on Tuesday after the soldier died while in combat in Iraq on Sunday.
Sergeant Roshain Brooks was one of two soldiers killed Sunday, while their artillery unit was firing on an ISIS mortar position.
The Pentagon blamed their deaths on a mishap, and said there is no indication ISIS played a role in their deaths.
Brooks grew up in South Florida and graduated from Coconut Creek High School before moving to New York.
His cousin told NBC 6 that he loved being in the military.
“He did something that he loved. He died doing something that he loved. He could have left. Of course, his family members asked him to leave but he wouldn’t,” said Tosha Chambers. “It was his choice. He died doing something that he believed in.”
Five other soldiers were also injured in the incident, which remains under investigation.
