Ft. Hood Shootings

The Black Oil

Some fatalities appear to have been confirmed, but numbers are unclear. NPR suggest 7, CNN saying 9, numbers injured seems to run into double figures. The BBC has picked up reports from NBC suggesting two individuals in military uniform were involved.

No doubt more details will emerge soon, but it's a sad day.

odin_ie

From CNN

(CNN) -- Eleven people plus a gunman were killed and 31 were wounded after the gunman opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas on Thursday, a Fort Hood spokesman said.

The gunman was a soldier, and two other soldiers have been detained as suspects, said the spokesman, Lt. Gen. Bob Cone.

Cone said more than one shooter may have been involved.

President Obama called the shootings "tragic" and "a horrific outburst of violence." He expressed his condolences for the shooting victims.

Officials at Fort Hood, which is the Army's largest U.S. post, were asking people there to stay away from windows, CNN affiliate KXXV said. The incident took place at the sports dome, now known as the soldier readiness area, the station reported.

FBI agents are headed to the scene to assist, said Erik Vasys, spokesman for the FBI office in San Antonio. He had no other details.

On the Fort Hood Web site, the word "closed" is posted with the statement, "Effective immediately, Fort Hood is closed. Organizations/units are instructed to execute a 100 percent accountability of all personnel."

Fort Hood, with about 40,000 troops, is home to the Army's 1st Cavalry Division and elements of the 4th Infantry Division, as well as the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 13th Corps Support Command. It is located near Killeen, Texas.

At least 25,000 people are at Fort Hood on any given day, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon said.

Fort Hood is home to the Warrior Combat Stress Reset Program, which is designed to help soldiers overcome combat stress issues.

In June, Fort Hood's commander, Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, told CNN that he was trying to ease the kind of stresses soldiers face. He has pushed for soldiers working a day schedule to return home for dinner by 6 p.m., and required his personal authorization for anyone working weekends. At the time, two soldiers stationed there had committed suicide in 2009 -- a rate well below those of other posts.

pmg58

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8345713.stm

Shooter was Major Malik Nadal Hasan.

Following the 5 British killed in Afghanistan:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6510941/Twelve-dead-in-shooting-rampage-at-Fort-Hood-US-military-base-in-Texas.html

At least 12 people have been killed and more than 30 injured in a shooting rampage at the Fort Hood US military base in Texas.

"The shooter was killed. He was a soldier. We since then have apprehended two additional soldiers who are suspects, and I would go into the point that there were eyewitness accounts that there may have been more than one shooter."

http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2009/11/shootings_at_fort_hood_11_sold.php

Twelve people, including the shoot, a soldier named Major Malik Nidal Hassan, have been reported killed

Lets not forget this:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1204111/Australian-police-arrest-Islamic-extremists-planning-kill-soldiers-possible-massive-Melbourne-raid.html

Hundreds of police swooped on suspected terrorists in Melbourne early today amid fears suicide attacks were about to be launched on army bases in Australia.

Police from around the country were quietly moved to Melbourne before launching their raids on homes in at least seven suburbs.

Several men of Somali and Lebanese backgrounds were arrested and were expected to appear in court later on terrorism-related charges.

also
http://www.sw.org/web/patientsAndVisitors

Early reports that they were lining up for inoculations ...unconfirmed

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/reports-of-mass-shooting-at-fort-hood/?hp

CNN reports that the soldiers who were at the readiness center were getting ready to deploy to Iraq.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5A454F20091105

Cone said the shooting took place at a "Soldier Readiness Facility" where soldiers preparing for overseas deployment were getting last-minute medical checkups. The shooting took place at about 1:30 p.m. CST.

"The shooter was killed. He was a soldier. We since then have apprehended two additional soldiers that are suspects. There were eyewitness accounts that there may have been more than one shooter," Cone said

BrianD

Deleted User wrote: »

Following the 5 British killed in Afghanistan:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6510941/Twelve-dead-in-shooting-rampage-at-Fort-Hood-US-military-base-in-Texas.html





http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2009/11/shootings_at_fort_hood_11_sold.php


Lets not forget this:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1204111/Australian-police-arrest-Islamic-extremists-planning-kill-soldiers-possible-massive-Melbourne-raid.html



also
http://www.sw.org/web/patientsAndVisitors

I'm not sure what the point is that you are trying to make here? We the States it's, unfortunately, not unusua for people to "go postal" in places or work. Though it's probably the first time that it's happened in a military installation.

JP Liz

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.

:eek: my god

Morlar

BrianD wrote: »

I'm not sure what the point is that you are trying to make here? We the States it's, unfortunately, not unusua for people to "go postal" in places or work. Though it's probably the first time that it's happened in a military installation.

It transpires unsurprisingly that he was in fact motivated out of islamist leanings

http://breakingnews.ie/world/officer-shouted-allahu-akbar-before-gun-rampage-433255.html

;

Officer 'shouted Allahu Akbar' before gun rampage


A US officer who killed 13 soldiers in a gun rampage at a Texas army base shouted a triumphant Islamic proclamation before opening fire, it was claimed today.

Army spokesman Lieutenant General Bob Cone said witnesses heard Major Nidal Malik Hasan cry “Allahu Akbar” – Arabic for “God is great” – before opening fire at the Fort Hood complex.

The military psychiatrist was today being investigated for alleged links to extremist websites as the shooter himself remained on a life-support machine.

Hasan, a devout American-born Muslim, was shot several times in the aftermath of the rampage by a civilian police officer who was today being hailed as a hero.

Mr Cone said Sgt Kimberly Munley and her partner responded to reported gunfire within three minutes.

She then disabled the suspect despite being shot herself in the process.

“It was an amazing and an aggressive performance by this police officer,” the military spokesman said.

Shortly before her arrival, Hasan – armed with two non-military issue pistols, including a semi-automatic – entered a section used to prepare soldiers for deployment overseas and started firing.

Within minutes, 12 soldiers and a civilian at the base were dead or dying in the worst mass shooting yet at a military base in the US.

At least 30 others were injured in an attack described by President Barack Obama as a “horrific outburst of violence”.

Soldiers rushed to treat their wounded colleagues by ripping their uniforms into makeshift bandages.

Around half of those injured required surgery after being evacuated to hospital.

The shootings began yesterday at around 1.30pm local time (7.30pm GMT) at Fort Hood’s readiness centre.

The compound – the US’s largest military base – was today observing a day of mourning, officials said.

Meanwhile investigators were trying to establish the motive behind the attack.

Mr Cone said the suspect was not known to be a threat or risk.

Retired Colonel Terry Lee, who worked with Hasan, claimed the major was anti-war and argued with comrades who supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hasan, 39, from Virginia, was also due to be sent to Afghanistan, something family members said would have been his “worst nightmare”.

Defence sources said at least six months ago Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats.

They included posts which compared suicide bombers with soldiers who threw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.

Investigators were not certain whether Hasan had written the posts and a formal investigation had not been opened before the shooting, said the sources.

Hasan was shot four times and was being treated in hospital under armed guard.

Mr Cone said he was on a ventilator and unconscious, but added: “I would say his death is not imminent.”

Personal details of Hasan were today beginning to emerge.

Hasan, whose family said he was born in suburban Washington, is single with no children.

In 1997 he graduated with a degree in biochemistry from Virginia Tech, scene of a mass shooting in 2007.

His cousin, Nader Hasan, described him as “a good American”.

He said 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.”

Mr Hasan added that his cousin had also complained of being harassed by others in the military.

Hasan transferred to Fort Hood in July from Walter Reed Medical Centre, where he received a poor performance evaluation, according to an official.

Faizul Khan, a former imam at a mosque Hasan attended in Maryland, said Hasan was a lifelong Muslim and attended prayers regularly, often in his army uniform.

While Fort Hood was on lock down yesterday, Mr Obama met aides in the White House’s Situation Room amid initial fears that more than one shooter was involved.

After being informed of the situation, the 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.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown today sent a message of support and condolence to Mr Obama over the Fort Hood shootings, said Downing Street.

In the message, Mr Brown said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed or injured and with you as you find the strength and words to help America respond.”

Read more: http://breakingnews.ie/world/officer-shouted-allahu-akbar-before-gun-rampage-433255.html#ixzz0W5o0zoNY

http://www.scribd.com/NidalHasan

no idea of the legitimacy of that link ^^

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jwXtdoKPsNJg9PPKF7708ZC4N56AD9BPNHDO6

Federal law enforcement officials say the suspected Fort Hood, Texas, shooter had come to their attention at least six months ago because of Internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats.

BrianD

Morlar wrote: »

It transpires unsurprisingly that he was in fact motivated out of islamist leanings

http://breakingnews.ie/world/officer-shouted-allahu-akbar-before-gun-rampage-433255.html

;

Officer 'shouted Allahu Akbar' before gun rampage

This particular statement has been reported but according to todays Irish Times is subject to caution.

I found your generalisation of those of the Islamist belief a little out of order. Not 20 years ago, there are people who would have said the same about Irish Catholics.

Manic Moran

I found your generalisation of those of the Islamist belief a little out of order.

Touchy. He didn't say that all muslims are imminently about to go out and shoot American soldiers. He said it's not surprising that there appears to have been an islamic relationship. Given both the larger current operations that the US military is involved with, the point of view of the opposition (That fighting the US military is a religious duty) and past incidents such as Hasan Akbar, Ryan Anderson, or the Fort Dix Plot, he is correct, it is certainly not a connection which is going to raise many eyebrows.

It's like saying 'unsurprisingly, there was a German connection' when they arrested some chaps plotting to plant bombs in New York in the early 1940s.

NTM

McArmalite

Appearently he survvied and was captured. I don't know what the answer to these Muslim fanatics is.

Poccington

McArmalite wrote: »

Appearently he survvied and was captured. I don't know what the answer to these Muslim fanatics is.

At the moment, he's in a coma in hospital under police guard.

I agree with the second part of your post.

twinytwo

McArmalite wrote: »

Appearently he survvied and was captured. I don't know what the answer to these Muslim fanatics is.

it is eas

its simply really... the only way to stop the fanatics is for the muslim people to do it themselves...its is easy for them to cry about innocent people getting killed in iraq/afghan, muslims being hated etc etc but yet they dont see a problem with what happened on 9/11... the only way to get them to act is hit them back 5 times harder

pmg58

twinytwo wrote: »

but yet they dont see a problem with what happened on 9/11...

Don't you think thats an unfair generalisation?

twinytwo

pmg58 wrote: »

Don't you think thats an unfair generalisation?

ok scratch that... bad example.. but the religion as a whole is uncompromising.

mcmoustache

twinytwo wrote: »

it is eas

its simply really... the only way to stop the fanatics is for the muslim people to do it themselves...its is easy for them to cry about innocent people getting killed in iraq/afghan, muslims being hated etc etc but yet they dont see a problem with what happened on 9/11... the only way to get them to act is hit them back 5 times harder

I thought that was going to be a good post till that bit in bold.
I'll still take you up on the sensible bits;)....

This is all down to groups seeing themselves a victims. If you see yourself as a victim you can justify any atrocity you might wish to commit. You can condone whatever your own group's extremists do. You can ignore what your guys do if you focus on what "the other guys" do. A typical example would be Abdul Bari Atwan from Al Qudz, the guy with the moustache who usually appears on Sky and BBC to give the muslim side of things. Whenever he's questioned about some suicide bombing or other atrocity, he usually won't condemn it but instead will speak about American or Israeli atrocoties. His view would be pretty common given that he is an editor of a popular paper. Instead of dealing with the nutters in his group, he can just point the finger at America instead. He may be right but failure to address the atrocities of your own group is just not.

How do we get them to address their?
I haven't a clue. "Hitting back 5 times harder" just won't work. You may have heard of the Israel-Palestine douche-baggery that's been going on for the past 60 years. It just isn't working. As for what might work.... I'm still lost. The best I can come up with right now would be a piss-up and that hasn't a chance:D.