12 killed, 31 wounded in shooting at US Texas army base
- Source: Global Times
- [08:03 November 06 2009]
- Comments
Sgt. Anthony Sills (R) comforts his wife as they wait outside the Fort Hood Army Base near Killeen, Texas on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. (cns photo)
Twelve people were killed and up to31 injured in two shootings Thursday at Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, Texas, the US Army said.
Christopher Hogue, US Army spokesman at Fort Hood, told reporters that the shootings took place 1:30 p.m. CST (1930 GMT). The shooter soldier was included in the number of death and another two soldier suspects have been apprehended.
The attacker who was killed after opening fire at the base was reported to be Maj. Nidal Malikl Hasan, a psychiatrist in his 30s who was going to be dispatched to Iraq. Hasan "was disturbed" about his deployment, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison told a local news organization.
The Army closed the base covering 339 square miles, the largest active duty armoured post in the US with about 40,000 troops. A message on the Fort Hood Web site said, "Effective immediately, Fort Hood is closed." "This is not a drill. It is an emergency situation."
US President Barack Obama lamented the "horrific" shooting case in a military base in Texas, killing at least 12 and injuring 31 others.
"These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis," Obama said when he delivered speech at the closing ceremony of the tribal nations conference.
"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," he said.
Obama said that the White House is working with Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security to make sure that Fort Hood is secure and the community there has the full resources of the federal government.
"I hope in the meantime that all of you recognize the scope of this tragedy, and keep everybody in their thoughts and prayers," said the president.
