Spring Break
Shooting rampage at Fort Hood leaves 12 dead
By: Rebekah Skelton
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: News
Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a mental health doctor, went on a killing spree at the U.S. Army post Fort Hood, near Killeen, on Thursday leaving 12 dead and 31 injured.
Military officials initially said they killed Hasan, 39, however during a media conference later in the evening, Lt. Gen. Bob Cone said the shooter was alive and in stable condition at a hospital. Cone would not comment on the mistake except to say that there had been some confusion at the hospital.
The shooting took place at 1:30 p.m. at the Soldier Readiness Center, where troops prepare to deploy and recieve screenings after returning home, and at the Howze Theater, where a graduation ceremony for soldiers who had finished their degrees while overseas was taking place. Hasan used two handguns during the rampage. One of the guns was a semiautomatic. Neither was military-issued.
Texas A&M University officials had not been told whether any current or former Aggies were at Fort Hood.
"We're not aware at this time that any Aggies are involved," said Jason Cook, vice president of marketing and communications at A&M.
Following the shooting, the base was locked down and three soldiers were taken into custody but were later cleared and released.
Although there is no clear motive at this time, Hasan is said to have been unhappy about being deployed. The specifics of where and when he was going are unknown.
Investigators did not know whether Hasan is his given surname or if he changed it as part of a conversion to Islam.
President Barack Obama said in a media conference that the shooting was a "horrific outburst of violence" and that his "immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and the families of the fallen."
Ten of the injured were taken to Scott and White Hospital in Temple, all adults.
"It's a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the twelve fatalities and the injured," said Lane Stephenson, director of news and information services at A&M.
A prayer ceremony took place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at A&M United Methodist.
"We all weep and mourn together," said Sterling Allen, director of music ministries for the church. "We are not only eager to find answers but also healing."
A vigil for those affected by the tragedy also took place at 10:30 p.m. in Cain Park.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
View Ft. Hood in a larger map
Military officials initially said they killed Hasan, 39, however during a media conference later in the evening, Lt. Gen. Bob Cone said the shooter was alive and in stable condition at a hospital. Cone would not comment on the mistake except to say that there had been some confusion at the hospital.
The shooting took place at 1:30 p.m. at the Soldier Readiness Center, where troops prepare to deploy and recieve screenings after returning home, and at the Howze Theater, where a graduation ceremony for soldiers who had finished their degrees while overseas was taking place. Hasan used two handguns during the rampage. One of the guns was a semiautomatic. Neither was military-issued.
Texas A&M University officials had not been told whether any current or former Aggies were at Fort Hood.
"We're not aware at this time that any Aggies are involved," said Jason Cook, vice president of marketing and communications at A&M.
Following the shooting, the base was locked down and three soldiers were taken into custody but were later cleared and released.
Although there is no clear motive at this time, Hasan is said to have been unhappy about being deployed. The specifics of where and when he was going are unknown.
Investigators did not know whether Hasan is his given surname or if he changed it as part of a conversion to Islam.
President Barack Obama said in a media conference that the shooting was a "horrific outburst of violence" and that his "immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and the families of the fallen."
Ten of the injured were taken to Scott and White Hospital in Temple, all adults.
"It's a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the twelve fatalities and the injured," said Lane Stephenson, director of news and information services at A&M.
A prayer ceremony took place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at A&M United Methodist.
"We all weep and mourn together," said Sterling Allen, director of music ministries for the church. "We are not only eager to find answers but also healing."
A vigil for those affected by the tragedy also took place at 10:30 p.m. in Cain Park.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
View Ft. Hood in a larger map
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