(February 14, 2007)-- A Marine helicopter that crashed northwest of Baghdad last week was shot down.

Five Marines and two sailors died in the crash, which military officials originally said was the result of mechanical failure.

Now, they're saying it wasn’t.

"Initial evidence indicated that the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter went down as a result of mechanical failure. After further investigation using all available means, the cause of the incident has been confirmed to be hostile fire," said Marine Maj. Jeff Pool, a Multinational Force West spokesman.

Other pilots who saw the helicopter go down described fire, a descent and crash that suggested mechanical difficulties such as those that other CH-46s have developed, the military said.

A Sunni insurgent group linked to al-Qaeda claimed it downed the chopper and aired a video of the crash.

Among those killed were 26-year-old Marine Sgt. James R. Tijerina of Beasley and 31-year-old Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert Minjares, Jr. of El Paso.

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