US soldier may have been killed by "friendly fire" - told grandmother "he has enemy in the group"

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15061112/detail.html

Woman Wants Truth About Grandson's Death In Iraq

SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- A San Marcos woman wants to know the truth about her grandson's death in Iraq.

Pfc. Ivan Merlo, 19, was one of three soldiers killed in an intense firefight north of Baghdad last week. Military officials said Wednesday that the deaths are under investigation, and the soldiers may have been killed by friendly fire.

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She said she spoke with Ivan for the last time two weeks ago. She said he sounded upset.

"And I ask him, 'Hi my son. What happened you don't feel good?'" she said.

He told her he had been transferred to a new unit and said the other soldiers didn't like him. He said they were jealous of his youth and enthusiasm for his job. Villegas said the troubling phone call now haunts her,.

"He told me he has enemy in the group," she said.

Merlo left for duty in October. He was supposed to come home this Saturday for a short visit for his grandmother's birthday. Villegas said Merlo planned to surprise her with news that he had married his girlfriend. It was a secret he never got to share.

Military officials have not released any information to suggest Ivan Merlo or the other two soldiers were killed on purpose. Family members said they are waiting for his body to arrive later this week.