SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

LAWRENCE - A 25-year-old Lawrence soldier is among four feared captured - or killed - by al-Qaida in a pre-dawn ambush in Iraq Saturday.

Army Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, was listed as one of four soldiers whose "whereabouts are unknown." Military officials confirm one soldier is dead but are not releasing the name, leaving Jimenez' friends and family to wonder his fate - is he alive and in the hands of terrorists or is he dead.

"We don't understand what's going on," said Wendy Luzon of Lawrence, who has known Jimenez and his family for 14 years. "You always hope for a miracle to happen."

Jimenez' family is reportedly at Fort Drum in New York, praying and awaiting news as some 4,000 U.S. troops conduct a massive search near the Sunni stronghold of Mahmoudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad. It's a thinly populated farming area known as the "triangle of death" because of the frequent attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces. Last June, al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the deaths of two U.S. soldiers whose mutilated bodies were later found in the same area.

As of Monday night, some 450 Iraqis had been questioned and another 11 detained, as the troops went door-to-door - some armed with search dogs - looking for information or hidden crawl spaces where the soldiers could be hidden. Aircraft dropped leaflets asking for help while trucks with loudspeakers roamed the streets urging witnesses to come forward.

The Islamic State of Iraq has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings and in a Web statement warned the U.S. to call off its hunt "if you want their safety."

'He believed in what he was doing'

Jimenez was born in Navarette, Dominican Republic, and lived in New York before moving to Lawrence several years ago. He attended Lawrence schools.

His father, Ramon "Andy" Jimenez, lives on Albion Street, but last night had left the city to gather with relatives in New York, where Alex's mother still lives.

Luzon lives in the same building as Andy Jimenez. She said Jimenez loves being in the Army and is planning to re-enlist for another four years, much to the chagrin of his father, who is against the war and once participated in an anti-war protest.

But Jimenez is a proud soldier, Luzon said.

"He is very committed to the Army," she said. "He believed in what he was doing."

Luzon said his father is "not doing well" and was left confused after military police told him on Sunday morning about his son's disappearance. She saw the men in uniforms, carrying themselves with dignity, she said, and heard her neighbor crying a short time later.

Sandy Almonte, a friend of the family, said the news left those who know Jimenez in shock, since they had been excitedly making preparations to welcome him home this summer.

"He was coming home soon," she said.

Jimenez had been home for a short time last year, after he suffered an injury to his arm, Almonte said. But he recovered and was sent back to Iraq to complete his 15-month deployment.

"We're just praying that he'll be OK," Almonte said.

Neighbors said Jimenez is married, but it was unclear last night whether the couple has any children.

Jimenez shared an apartment with his cousin Jose Peralta at 311 Water St. in Lawrence a short distance from his father on Albion Street. The 24-unit, brick building on Water Street is like a close-knit community, but many of the residents said they did not know Jimenez.

The building superintendent, however, does know him well, and said he, like so many others in the city, was also praying for his well-being. He said Jimenez had been planning to go on a pilgrimage to the basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higuey, Dominican Republic, after coming home from Iraq this summer. The pilgrimage was something his father had promised him, as a way offering prayers of thanksgiving for his safe return home.

Jimenez has hopes of spending more time traveling and has even talked about moving to Europe, Luzon said.

Al-Qaida called 'the most treacherous, rotten group'

The ambush left four other American soldiers and an Iraqi translator dead. If the missing soldiers were taken alive, it would be the biggest single abduction of U.S. soldiers in Iraq since March 23, 2003, when Pvt. Jessica Lynch and six others were captured in an ambush near Nasiriyah that also left 11 Americans dead.

Despite the massive search, if Jimenez is in the hands of al-Qaida, the outcome may not be good, said Congressman Martin Meehan, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

"They're the most treacherous, rotten group," he said. "When al-Qaida's involved, it couldn't be worse."

Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, spokesman for Fort Drum, agreed.

"It's been the unfortunate experience that soldiers who have been captured have not all turned out well," he said. "We are hoping this turns out to be an exception."

At Fort Drum, some were frustrated as they waited for news.

"Everyone here is concerned," said Sgt. Bryan Flinner, a six-year veteran who returned home early from deployment to Afghanistan because of a head injury. "Even if you don't know a soldier personally, there's always a connection because of what we do. It's frustrating, but there's nothing we can do back here."

People in Lawrence were also playing the waiting game. City leaders offered their assistance to family and friends who were anxiously awaiting word on Jimenez's fate.

Meehan said his office is also trying to reach out to the family to offer his support. His office may be able to obtain information from the Pentagon for them, or help them arrange for logistical things like transportation for relatives.

"A lot of times we can help," Meehan said. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Politicians on a more local level were also trying to help.

Lawrence City Councilor Grisel Silva said she had heard about a Lawrence soldier being part of last weekend's ambush as early as Sunday.

She had hoped the military would have more information on Jimenez's condition by now.

"We need to find the families, and hopefully we will be able to give some comfort," Silva said. "It takes my speech away. In fairness to all Lawrencians, we need to know, whether he is missing or a fallen hero. We need more information."

City Councilor Nunzio DiMarca, who found out last night, said his thoughts are with the family.

"Naturally, you feel for them," he said. "You hope against hope that they get him back safely."

State Rep. William Lantigua visited with Luzon last night, helping her answer questions from the media and reminding her to hold on to the hope that Jimenez is still alive.

"It's a tough situation," he said. "We'll worry every time we see the news ... You're always afraid it will hit home, but you always hope it never happens. Hopefully he'll be released and be OK."

As her way of holding on to that hope, Luzon is planning to host a candlelight vigil outside her Albion Street home tonight, starting at 7.

"We want people to have hope," Luzon said. "We want people to pray for Alex and the two others to come home."

Staff writers Yadira Betances, Crystal Bozek, Mark E. Vogler and Zach Church contributed to this report. Material from the Associated Press was also used in this report.