Navy SEAL releases book on bin Laden

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A book that caught the eye of the Pentagon and the CIA is now on store shelves. The memoir is written by a former Navy SEAL who helped kill Osama bin Laden.

Many people News 4’s Brittni Smallwood spoke with are intrigued by the memoir, "No Easy Day.” It reveals a former Navy SEAL's account of what happened the day the world's most want terrorist Osama bin Laden was assassinated.

The book is being released earlier than planned, leaving some questioning if it was a political move.

Before it hit stores, people here in western New York were securing their copy, leaving some stores already looking for more books.

Wheatfield resident Scott Barger said, “I'm really interested in what really happened over there.”

The book's first release date was September 11th, but it was moved to the start of the Democratic National Convention. Many people are on the fence about whether the change was politically motivated. In an interview with 60 minutes, the author says it wasn't.

“This book is not political whatsoever. It doesn't badmouth either party and we specifically chose September 11 to keep it out of the politics,” said Matt Bissonnette, a former Seal.

Bissonnette says he was apart of the "SEAL Team Six" that went up the stairs at bin Laden's compound in Pakistan. He says the Al Qaeda leader poked his head out. They fired two shots at him. Then he and another SEAL fired into bin Laden's chest to make sure he was dead.

Bissonnette could face legal problems if Pentagon officials determine his book discloses classified information that could harm national security. A retired Army General says the book should have been approved by the CIA.

Retired US Army General James “Spider” Marks said, “The fact that this incredibly talented SEAL who's a great patriot, made a big mistake by publishing this book without getting the authorities to do it.”

Before it hit stores, people here in Western New York were securing their copy, leaving some stores already looking for most stock.