“I killed Osama bin Laden”. These are words that only one person in the entire world has the capability to say. That justified right belongs to Robert O’Neill, a Navy SEAL who publically announced the news on November 6, 2014. Robert O’Neill, a 38 year-old retired Navy SEAL, publicly established himself as the man who shot al-Qaeda’s leader, America’s most feared man, Osama bin Laden. On Thursday, he satdown for an interview with The Washington Post, however it was not his first one. In February 2013, he discussed the event with Esquire magazine but was only iden­tified as “the shooter”.

The moment before O’Neill jumped out of the helicopter onto bin Laden’s private garden, he truly thought it would be the end of his career. He had served the military for the past 15 years, battling through Somali pirates on the decks of Navy ships and raiding the homes of other al-Qaeda members. “I didn’t think I would survive,” he claims during his interview. He remembers entering bin Laden’s home that day, May 2nd of 2011 knowing he had no chance of getting past the heavily armed men and traps. He was one of the first men to plunge into the room. He recounts bin Laden hiding behind his youngest wife, Amal towards the gunfire and commotion. It was in that moment that O’Neill shot al-Qaeda’s leader in the fore­head. “In that second, I shot him two times in the forehead. Bap! Bap! The second time as he is going down. He crumpled onto the floor in front of his bed and I hit him again. Bap! Same place. ... He was dead,”he told the Post. O’Neill who now works as a motivational speaker, held a small gathering for people who have lost loved ones during the 9/11 attack. He explained how Osama bin Laden died that day and his private words to the families brought them closure and comfort. He is now recog­nized as an American hero, and has gained a remarkable amount of fans and support. Robert O’Neill finally ceased the distress of the people who were affected by 9/11.