Why Did Price Kill Shepherd in MW3?: In Mw3 Our Theory

Explore the theory on why Captain Price killed Shepherd in call of duty modern warfare iii, focusing on Shepherd's ambitions and connections.

The central question of why Captain Price killed Shepherd in call of duty modern warfare iii is answered by examining key plot points from MW2 and the MW3 campaign, with foreshadowing from earlier games.

Urzikstan serves as a focal point throughout the series. Initially, characters like Alex, Price, Farah, and Laswell are prominent. Price later forms Taskforce 141 for MW2. In MW2, Urzikstan's connection to global threats involving terror and drug groups linked to the United States becomes apparent. Shepherd and his private military company, Shadow Company, initially appear as allies to Taskforce 141 but eventually become adversaries. This conflict escalates, particularly in the Mexican storyline, where Graves and Shadow Company receive orders to fire upon Taskforce 141. It becomes clear that Shepherd is pursuing his own agenda using Shadow Company to achieve his ambitions. This leads to Price and Laswell's first major grievance against Shepherd. The end of MW2 features a cinematic where Price and Laswell toast to "cutting the heads off snakes," a line directly referencing Shepherd, who is implied to be the snake.

The end of MW2 also establishes Makarov as the next target and reiterates the suspicion surrounding Shepherd.

Shepherd's ambitions are a significant factor. Echoing themes from the older series, Shepherd desires patriotism, recruitment, and war. In the rebooted series, he seeks recognition as a war hero, using his PMC to claim credit for actions that undermine other major powers' military goals. He aimed to be the savior who prevented the bomb attacks in Chicago, orchestrated by the Las Almas Cartel using Hassan's armaments.

After his plans were foiled in MW2, Shepherd makes another attempt in MW3. During the "Frozen Tundra" mission, Shepherd is found with Makarov's men in Siberia, revealing a connection. Shepherd possesses secrets he withholds from Laswell and Price in exchange for his life. He agrees to provide information about more bombs in Russia intended to poison the water supply, while also testifying before Congress and subsequently lying. This confirms Shepherd is playing both sides, supplying off-the-books missiles to Farah's group while collaborating with Makarov, who is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks. The stolen missiles, originally intended for Farah, likely explain how Makarov's forces attacked Farah's missile base. Shepherd's involvement with both Makarov and Farah, driven by his ambition for fame, power, money, and a private army, leads him to supply missiles to Farah and then provide Makarov with location details, enabling the theft and subsequent attacks. This manipulation creates significant terrorist threats.

Price and his team discover Shepherd in Siberia with Makarov's men, a surprising encounter.

In the "Frozen Tundra" mission, Price spares Shepherd's life, a crucial decision indicating that Price, Taskforce 141, and Laswell have a plan for Shepherd beyond immediate execution, aligning with the "cutting the heads off snakes" sentiment. They likely intended to bring him down through other means, such as the congressional hearings, seeking justice and demonstrating the morals of Taskforce 141.

However, a pivotal moment shifts this course. Makarov's attack on London, a significant location from MW 2019, is likely connected to Shepherd's behind-the-scenes machinations in MW2. This event, though unexplained, is presumed to be a valid narrative link. The ultimate grievance for Price is the death of Soap. If Makarov had been apprehended earlier, Soap would have survived. Makarov's earlier statement about seeing Soap again now carries more weight, given the revealed connection between Makarov and Shepherd. Shepherd seemingly needed Makarov to instigate attacks in London, Farah's territory, and Russia to escalate a smaller conflict into a major global crisis. Makarov's ability to escape and later confront Taskforce 141 further suggests Shepherd's complicity, a realization Price and Laswell likely reach as events unfold.