GoFundMe Campaign For Children Of Soldier Killed In Niger Reaches Over $639K

A GoFundMe campaign to pay for college expenses of the children of U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson, one of four soldiers killed in Niger, has raised over $639,000 as of Saturday afternoon.

Johnson, a Florida native, was killed earlier this month when ISIS militants ambushed U.S. soldiers and Nigerien troops that were on joint patrol. The family held a private funeral for the slain soldier on Saturday.

The Sgt. La David T. Johnson Scholarship campaign was trending Saturday afternoon on the crowdfunding site with more than 14,000 likes, and had received contributions from nearly 14,000 people. The campaign was created on Oct. 16 and has a goal of $1 million.

“Role Model Sgt. Johnson leaves behind two children, ages 2 and 6, along with his beloved wife and soulmate Mrs. Myeshia Johnson,” the GoFundMe campaign reads. “Mrs. Johnson is currently pregnant with their third child. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, is establishing a Role Model Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson Scholarship to benefit his children by providing money towards their college education.”

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is a Miami-based organization that helps young minority males, and was founded in 1993 by Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Democrat from Florida. Wilson is embroiled in a dispute with President Donald Trump after she revealed this week that she overheard his call with Johnson’s widow in which he said her husband “knew what he signed up for.” Wilson said Johnson’s widow broke down after her call with the president.

Trump has denied Wilson’s claim, but a family member of present at the time of the call said the Congresswoman’s account of the conversation was correct. Trump attacked Wilson on Twitter earlier this week, and continued on Saturday, the day of Johnson’s funeral.

“I hope the Fake News Media keeps talking about Wacky Congresswoman Wilson in that she, as a representative, is killing the Democrat Party!” he said.

Defense Secretary James Mattis said this week the Pentagon is conducting a full investigation into the Niger incident.

“As you know, we investigate any time we have our troops killed, whether it be in training accidents or combat,” said Mattis. “I don’t care if it’s in a car accident. In DOD, we investigate the circumstances surrounding and see how we can address the very questions you brought up about what can we do in the future.”

Mattis also commented on implications, saying Johnson was separated from his team.

“The U.S. military does not leave its troops behind, and I would just ask that you not question the actions of the troops who were caught in the firefight and question whether or not they did everything they could in order to bring everyone out at once,” said Mattis.

The FBI is also investigating the ambush.