'Don't Hide Behind My Son's Death': Dad Of Slain SEAL To White House
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The father of a Navy Seal killed in Yemen is calling for an investigation into his son's death.
Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens died in a raid last month.
His father, William Owens, who lives in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, wants to know why the raid went ahead so early in the Trump presidency.
According to our news partners at the Miami Herald, Owens accused the White House of hiding behind his son's death to prevent an investigation.
He also said he refused to meet President Trump after the Navy Seal's body was returned home.
"I told them I didn't want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldn't let me talk to him," William, also a military veteran, told the herald on Friday.
Ryan and around 29 civilians were killed January 28th during an anti-terrorism mission. The intended lightning raid to grab information about terrorists turned into a nearly hour-long firefight, according to the New York Times.
A statement from the White House on Saturday called Ryan Owens an "American hero," but the statement did not address William's criticisms.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer spoke about the matter during the daily press briefing.
"I can't possibly imagine what he's going through in terms of the loss of his son. I can tell him, on behalf of the president, that his son died a hero. The information that he was able to obtain to that raid was able to save American lives," said Spicer.
Trump's administration has called the mission a success saying they were able to get important information and that those who question the success dishonor Owen's memory.
William believes the opposite saying his son's death should not be something the Trump administration should hide behind in order to prevent an investigation. He says the government owes his son an in-depth investigation.
When asked about an investigation into Owens' death, Spicer said they are following standard procedure based on the circumstances.
"There will be three reviews done by the Department of Defense because of the nature of this," said Spicer adding that the administration is 'comfortable' with the way the mission was carried out in Yemen.
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