lizann
06-11-2009, 10:54
A military psychiatrist has gone on the rampage at America's biggest army base, shooting dead 13 people and injuring more than 30 others.
Armed with two guns, including a semi-automatic weapon, Major Nidal Malik Hasan started firing at victims at random.
The highly qualified medic shot dozens of soldiers and a number of civilians at the vast Fort Hood compound in Texas.
The gunman was eventually shot by a female civilian officer, herself injured.
Hasan was hit four times and initial reports suggested he had been killed.
But in a dramatic twist, a military spokesman revealed the gunman had survived and was fighting for his life in hospital.
Later, a disturbing portrait emerged of the major, who had complained of being harassed.
It was revealed that at least six months ago, he came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of a series of Internet postings.
Included in the postings were comparisons he made between suicide bombers and soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.
It is believed that Hasan, a US-born Muslim, was about to be sent to either Iraq or Afghanistan, something family members said would have been his "worst nightmare".
Nader Hasan, a cousin of the gunman, described his relative as "a good American".
He told Fox News that the family was "shocked", adding: "We just found out on the news that he was being deployed. He never even told us.
"We've known for the last four or five years that was probably his worst nightmare.
"He deals with stories, he would tell us how he would hear things, horrific things."
Army officials refused to speculate on a motive as they launched an investigation.
The shootings began yesterday at around 1.30pm local time (7.30pm GMT) at Fort Hood's readiness centre.
The centre is where soldiers undergo medical checks before being sent off to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, three other suspects were detained on the base.
But an official from Fort Hood later confirmed the killings were the result of a single gunman.
The Fort Hood compound was immediately placed under lock down, with all vehicles barred from entering or leaving the complex.
It was only declared safe some five hours later.
Mr Obama met with aides in the White House's Situation Room after being informed of the incident.
The US president said his thoughts and prayers were with the wounded and the families of the fallen.
He added: "It is 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."
Fort Hood is a sprawling 340 square mile military installation situated 50 miles south of Waco.
It houses some 4,929 active duty officers and 45,414 enlisted members of the army.
At a press conference at Fort Hood, Lt Gen Bob Cone described how army members ripped up their uniforms to provide tourniquets and bandages.
"As horrible as this was, I think it could have been much worse, Lt Gen Cone said.
The military spokesman offered little explanation as to why authorities initially pronounced the gunman dead.
But he said there had been confusion at the hospital.
"His death is not imminent," Lt Gen Cone said of the suspect's condition.
He added that although terrorism as a motive could not be ruled out, all the evidence suggested that this was not the case.
Armed with two guns, including a semi-automatic weapon, Major Nidal Malik Hasan started firing at victims at random.
The highly qualified medic shot dozens of soldiers and a number of civilians at the vast Fort Hood compound in Texas.
The gunman was eventually shot by a female civilian officer, herself injured.
Hasan was hit four times and initial reports suggested he had been killed.
But in a dramatic twist, a military spokesman revealed the gunman had survived and was fighting for his life in hospital.
Later, a disturbing portrait emerged of the major, who had complained of being harassed.
It was revealed that at least six months ago, he came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of a series of Internet postings.
Included in the postings were comparisons he made between suicide bombers and soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.
It is believed that Hasan, a US-born Muslim, was about to be sent to either Iraq or Afghanistan, something family members said would have been his "worst nightmare".
Nader Hasan, a cousin of the gunman, described his relative as "a good American".
He told Fox News that the family was "shocked", adding: "We just found out on the news that he was being deployed. He never even told us.
"We've known for the last four or five years that was probably his worst nightmare.
"He deals with stories, he would tell us how he would hear things, horrific things."
Army officials refused to speculate on a motive as they launched an investigation.
The shootings began yesterday at around 1.30pm local time (7.30pm GMT) at Fort Hood's readiness centre.
The centre is where soldiers undergo medical checks before being sent off to Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, three other suspects were detained on the base.
But an official from Fort Hood later confirmed the killings were the result of a single gunman.
The Fort Hood compound was immediately placed under lock down, with all vehicles barred from entering or leaving the complex.
It was only declared safe some five hours later.
Mr Obama met with aides in the White House's Situation Room after being informed of the incident.
The US president said his thoughts and prayers were with the wounded and the families of the fallen.
He added: "It is 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."
Fort Hood is a sprawling 340 square mile military installation situated 50 miles south of Waco.
It houses some 4,929 active duty officers and 45,414 enlisted members of the army.
At a press conference at Fort Hood, Lt Gen Bob Cone described how army members ripped up their uniforms to provide tourniquets and bandages.
"As horrible as this was, I think it could have been much worse, Lt Gen Cone said.
The military spokesman offered little explanation as to why authorities initially pronounced the gunman dead.
But he said there had been confusion at the hospital.
"His death is not imminent," Lt Gen Cone said of the suspect's condition.
He added that although terrorism as a motive could not be ruled out, all the evidence suggested that this was not the case.