Death of a Fort Hood Soldier

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died of an apparent gunshot wound Feb. 23 at his off-post residence in Killeen, Texas. Bell County Justice of the Peace Garland Potvin pronounced him deceased at 1:19 a.m.

Spc. Ata-Se Giffa, 30, whose home of record is listed as Clarkston, Georgia, entered active-duty service in August 2009 as an automated logistics specialist. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade,  Fort Hood, since January 2014.

Giffa deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from October 2010 to October 2011.

Giffa's awards and decorations include two Army Achievement medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal.

The incident remains under investigation by the Killeen Police Department. For further details on the investigation, contact Carroll Smith, KPD PIO, at (254) 501-8807.