A Navy SEAL Who Claims To Have Shot Bin Laden Is Identified

Rob O'Neill was profiled as "The Shooter" in Esquire and is scheduled to speak on Fox News. Another SEAL has given a different account of the death of the terrorist leader. UPDATE: O'Neill has spoken to the Washington Post.

Update—Nov. 6, 2:00 p.m. ET: The Washington Post is also now reporting that O’Neill is the man who fired the first and fatal shots. O’Neill told the paper he decided to come forward because he believed his identity was about to be released by others.

A military news blog revealed the name of a man who said he killed Osama bin Laden, ahead of an interview with Fox News that was scheduled to publicly identify him for the first time.

Rob O'Neill, a decorated Navy SEAL who is now a paid speaker, was named by SOFREP.com, a news and analysis site written by military veterans. O'Neill is scheduled to be interviewed on Fox News next week, and the network said the two-part documentary would disclose his identity for the first time.

Fox said he is already known as the Shooter, a nod to a 2013 piece that was published in Esquire magazine. "The Shooter," by investigative reporter Phil Bronstein, details the unidentified veteran's role in the 2011 raid of bin Laden's compound in Pakistan as well as the Shooter's worries about supporting his family after returning to civilian life.

Requests for comment by BuzzFeed News of O'Neill and his family were not immediately returned. A writer for SOFREP said they confirmed his identity through two independent SEAL sources.

On Wednesday, The Daily Mail quoted a man who said he is Rob O'Neill's father, Tom, saying, "'People are asking if we are worried that ISIS will come and get us because Rob is going public. I say I'll paint a big target on my front door and say come and get us.'"

More recently, O'Neill has been a speaker with Leading Authorities.

View this video on YouTube

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His biography on the speaking firm's website describes him as a former team leader in the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. His experience in decision making and leadership are touted along with his combat experience.

He has spoken to groups from beer distributors to plumbing and heating supply wholesalers.

Speaking to my people today. Beer Distributors.

Great event in Vegas... No clocks.... What time is it??

In a 2013 interview, the unidentified Shooter described how he prepared for his identity being revealed.

In case bin Laden supporters were to retaliate, his ex-wife and children had a bag packed to flee, he told Esquire. He taught his ex-wife how to best fire a shotgun.

But for himself, he wasn't worried, he told Esquire.

"I don't really have a plan," he said. "As arrogant as it sounds, I'm not afraid of these fucking guys."

The account provided by O'Neill of the death of Osama bin Laden is not the only one to have come out since the classified raid.

In the memoir No Easy Day, a Navy SEAL using the pseudonym Mark Owen said he was among several shooters who fired at bin Laden. Owen was later identified as Matt Bissonnette. A follow-up book is scheduled to be published.

Navy SEAL leaders responded to the upcoming media appearances in a letter to current SEALs.

"A critical tenant of our Ethos is 'I do not advertise my work, nor seek recognition for my actions,'" reminded Rear Adm. Brian L. Losey and Force Master Chief Michael L. Magaraci.

The military will seek "judicial consequences" against those who illegally reveal classified information, the letter added.

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