Posted on 11/05/2009 2:57:02 PM PST by Red Steel
Three U.S. soldiers went on a chilling rampage at the sprawling Fort Hood Army Base in Texas on Thursday, killing 12 people and wounding 31, officials said.
The motive for the bloodbath was unknown.
At least one gunman opened fire with two handguns just after 2:30 p.m. at the Soldier Readiness Center, where troops prepare for deployment, the Army said.
He was shot dead by military police. Several news outlets identified him as Major Malik Nadal Hasan.
Two other suspects were in custody, said Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the base commander.
"It's a terrible tragedy. It's stunning," he said.
President Obama called it a "horrific outburst of violence," stressing that the victims were those who volunteered to protect the nations.
"It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas. It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil," Obama said.
When the shooting began, emergency sirens blared across the massive base and officials warned the population of nearly 34,000 to take cover as they hunted for the gunmen.
The base - the largest military installation in the world - was locked down and the public address system crackled with calls for blood donors.
Two hours later, the hunt appeared to be wrapped up.
The carnage began inside the Soldier Readiness Center, and there were unconfirmed reports of a second shooting at a nearby theater where a graduation ceremony was scheduled.
Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson said many of the victims were collecting their final deployment papers. The shooters were in military uniform, witnesses said.
All available EMS units in and around Killeen, Texas, were urgently requested to respond to a "mass casualty event" at the base.
Greg Schannep, an aide to Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), told the Austin American Statesman that he was heading for a graduation ceremony on the base when a soldier in a blood-spattered uniform ran by and said someone was shooting.
MSNBC reported a woman and a child were among the victims.
Cone said a civilian police officer was killed.
FBI agents were assisting the Army's Criminal Investigation Command, which was leading the probe.
Fort Hood is in central Texas, about halfway between Austin and Waco.
Most soldiers there have been through multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Suicides and combat stress have been major issues there.
On Sept. 8, 2008, a soldier scheduled to be discharged shot another soldier, then killer himself.
Prayers for these soldiers who were killed and their families and also for the civilian officer and his family too.
>> Major Malik Nadal Hasan
Obviously a third-generation German-American from Central Texas.
What, pray tell, are the names of the other terrorists?
>> Major Malik Nadal Hasan
Obviously a third-generation German-American from Central Texas.
What, pray tell, are the names of the other terrorists?
Who are the other two involved?
“Malik Nadal Hasan”!
Why are you blaming the Germans when it’s rather obvious that he was clearly Amish?
Muhamad and Mohammed
Muhamad and Mohammed
His id was just confirmed on Fox by a government official. No news about the other two.
Does the media really think we are stupid. Supposedly, Lonegunman, with two sidearms.
43 shots minimum. And the are calling the other two suspects.
Major Malik Nadal Hasan
Nothing to see here...
I am hearing elsewhere that he was a recent Muslim convert. I cannot verify.
I’m just waiting for the Tollybuns to claim credit.
“Americans are not safe anywhere from the wrath of we Tollybuns!”
My, my how non-discrimination has changed the military.
Yeah, it's a baffling mystery /s
I think I have had enough of the bullshit. Its time for the PC government to quit lying to everybody and get to the root of the problem.
The Amish speak German for a reason.
Col. David Hunt just called Obama’s actions today “an embarassment to the United States.” Hunt voted for Obama.
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