BREAKING: Mass Shooting at Fort Hood
05 November 2009 4:00 pm by Taylor Marsh
updated
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/soldiers-killed-fort-hood-shooting/story?id=9007938
From ABC: The suspected gunman was identified as Major Malik Nadal Hasan. He was killed and two other suspects have been apprehended, Lt. Robert W. Cone said. …
Here’s the USArmy feed on Twitter: http://twitter.com/USArmy/
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison just said as many as 30 wounded, 7 dead.
Prayers go out to everyone in the midst of this deadly shooting.
Facilities are in lock down.
This post was submitted by Taylor Marsh.
Tags: guns, investigations, military, twitter
“We have a lot of blood on the ground,” – Col. Robert Maginnis, U.S. Army
The site where it occurred, it’s being reported, was filled with soldiers preparing to go to Afghanistan.
“1 suspect in custody,” another “at large.”
I heard this on the way to pick up my grandson from kindergarten. How miserable. I also heard that there have been a graduation ceremony going on.
“7 Fatally Shot, At Least 20 Hurt At Ft. Hood
Military Base On Lockdown
POSTED: Thursday, November 5, 2009
UPDATED: 2:59 pm CST November 5, 2009
Fort Hood
CNN Image
The U.S. Army has closed its massive Army base at Fort Hood, Texas, amid reports that at least seven people have been shot and killed at the post and about 20 others injured.
One gunman is in custody and another has been cornered, Lt. Gen. Russel Honore told CNN. Honore is the former deputy commander of Fort Hood.
KCEN-TV in Texas reported that a third gunman may have been involved.
A military official told CNN that the shooting happened about 1:30 p.m. central time. A congressman told MSNBC that a graduation ceremony may have been taking place at the time of the shooting.
The Web site of the base in central Texas has posted an alert that says, “Effective immediately Fort Hood is closed.” The Web site said that units at the base have been ordered to account for all personnel.”
It’s also being reported that the people who did the shooting were in military fatigues.
Whether they were actually military is another story.
I’ve just heard from some mil friends (not located at Fort Hood). It’s also suspected to be military-on-military.
How awful
“No terrorism suspected.” – FBI
9 dead, more hurt in Fort Hood shooting
I just heard on MSNBC 1 suspect is an officer
CNN’s Barbara Starr confirmed 12 dead now.
Roger Cressy -Major with arabic sounding name
“The individuals involved were U.S. soldiers. … It’s a terrible tragedy. It’s stunning.” – Ft. Hood spokesman
Happened at Soldier Readiness Facility.
So here comes the “gun argument” again.
I’m sure we’ll be hearing again how this wouldn’t have happened if guns were banned (which is absurd on a military base *LOL*).
I prefer the other angle; Would these things happen if every pickup had a shotgun in the rack ? I believe you, also, prefer that view, Taylor.
Hi pmichael. I wouldn’t go so far as to say “every pickup had a shotgun in the rack,” as the stereotyping weaves throughout that one, but we’re gun owners at our place, so I take your point.
That this happened at a military base is absolutely chilling, as is the fact it was military-on-military.
pmichael
I don’t imagine there will be any kind “ban guns” argument.
What will happen is unfolding with the emphasis on the name of one individual involved. The Drudge report and Hannity are trumpeting it right now.
From ABC:
The suspected gunman was identified as Major Malik Nadal Hasan. He was killed and two other suspects have been apprehended, Lt. Robert W. Cone said.
Here’s the USArmy feed on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/USArmy/status/5461040122
I’m about 50 miles from Ft. Hood. Obviously the details are still unclear, though the latest numbers say 12 dead, “at least” 31 injured.
I truly do respect varying opinions about gun ownership, but at this point, with the deaths, the fact that a number of the wounded are in serious condition, the base and local schools locked down. Even some of the surrounding hospitals are locked down.
Given all of this, I’d kind of like to postpone the gun arguments. I really don’t mean to be critical, pmichael, but please, not now.
Hey Joyce. Anything you can offer going forward from local TV would be really appreciated.
It’s being reported that hospitals are asking for blood donations, which isn’t uncommon at a time like this.
Thank you Joyce Arnold. I am pleased you are posting here.
Lots of rumors still going around. At the moment they seem to think it won’t be long before they let the kids at the schools on base leave, as well as the schools in Killeen.
I’ve heard one rumor that a suspect was actually in the ER of one of the hospitals. I suppose that means other than the one shooter who was killed. But, that’s a rumor only.
I think what you’re hearing nationally is about what local stations are reporting.
Appreciate the updates Joyce.
Just watched Rick Perry, who couldn’t find the facts that have already been reported. Absolutely pathetic performance.
Yes, I heard Perry, until I couldn’t stand to listen to him any more.
They continue with the lock-down at the schools. And they are still transporting wounded to area hospitals.
http://twitter.com/CBSRadioNews/status/5462806686
CBS News has learned the suspect in the Fort Hood shooting, Major Malik Nadal Hasan, was an Army psychiatrist.
A local television station is saying that the shooter who was killed recently reported that “Allah” had been keyed onto his car. He reported it as a hate crime, and was, reportedly, very upset.
And as you said earlier, Taylor, the call for blood donors continues to be made.
ugh. i cant think of something like this. anyone know if something like this has happened before here?
Never. It’s the worst of its kind as far as I’ve been able to discern.
Joyce: That’s important information. Any *specific* info on station, etc. is very important on things like this, as I’m sure you know.
So now what? We have 120,000 soldiers in Iraq, 68,000 in Afghanistan and another 350,000 odd stationed at various bases around the globe. What good are they? What purpose do they serve? We can’t even protect our own soldiers, at their own bases right here in the USA. Only 1/3rd of 1% of US families have been fighting this the longest war in US history. You can’t keep sending the same troops over and over again to the same stupid war and not expect that at some point very bad things will take place. “War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” Bring them all home now. Peace
The only problem, imhotep, is that the major in question had never been deployed.
Though no one will argue with you about stop loss around here.
kileen 20 yrs ago had one of the worst massacres – the lubys massacre 23 dead. out fo that massacre guv bush passed the concealed handgun laws here. this is tragic and folks runing screaming hasan is a silamic terrorist without proof needs to stop. we dont need violence on our muslim americans in tx.
It is now 13 dead, 30 wounded, as one of the wounded has died.
This is just wrenching.
To Imhotep and others, if you don’t think this will impact Pres. Obama as he looks towards Afghanistan, well…
“What good are they”
Not appropriate right not imhotep, imo.
A friend just emailed me that he saw Major Malik Nadal Hasan’s cousin on TV tonight, saying that he grew up in this country, was a Muslim, and since entering the military was “constantly harassed” for his Middle East heritage. Evidently, this pressure had him trying to get out of the military.
I’ve heard it reported twice that the two people arrested have been released. And that the apartment (apparently of Hasan) has been secured by law enforcement, for evidence, not with anyone else involved.
They are still maintaining the post lock-down, including schools on base, as well as schools who transport students on campus.
He was about to be deployed on November 27. Having worked as an Army psychiatrist at Walter Reed before going to Ft. Hood I’m quite sure that he was very well versed about what he and everyone around him was about to experience by being deployed. So, Taylor, how will this incident impact Obama’s decision about sending or not sending additional troops to Afghanistan? Peace
Joyce, re: the two others that have been released, it’s confirmed from other sources that they had nothing to do with it.
Okay, now the report is that police are waiting at the surrounded apartment for the bomb squad, though I think that’s precaution.
Neighbors have told reporters they saw Hasan this morning, giving away copies of the Koran, and furniture. I know it’s widely reported he was soon to ship out to Iraq.
I feel like I need to continue stressing the “reported” nature of most of this, not confirmed.
Afghanistan for another time, Imhotep. I’m just saying that this story will be searing for the commander in chief.
I feel like I need to continue stressing the “reported” nature of most of this, not confirmed.
You’re not a reporting, but a citizen, so no worries. Thanks for the updates.
Lock-down finally lifted. Lots of relieved kids, parents, and no doubt, teachers and staff.
See latest update in main post re: guns used.
Good news, Joyce.
Taylor re:Afghanistan, I’m looking forward to the discussion. Hopefully it will be very soon. Peace
Yes, the lock-down lifted is good,as is the fact that there are lots of people lined up to give blood at multiple locations.
Thank you Joyce Arnold. not surprised that people are trying to help.
God bless.
djjl, way up in the thread, you commented you were glad I was posting. I appreciate that. Just wish it wasn’t such a horrendous topic.
Joyce Arnold — I thank you as well… Just heard about this on my way home and logged in when I was able to (west coast time)… so tragic…
Thanks, whitepaw.
hasan is alive not dead. he is stable in hosp. agents with him per news conf now
Local reports — shooter still alive. I suppose that’s what the earlier rumors about a shooter being in ER were about.
Sorry, texan4hillary, I missed your post as my computer semi-crashed.
Thanks for all the first hand information Joyce Arnold. I am glad the shooter is alive. I want to hear what his motive was. It seems like the ability to learn from these tragedies is always taken away with the death of the perpetrator.I understand that many of them are actually in the act of committing suicide.
Why the heck can’t the army just discharge a person IF they do NOT want to be in it anymore … ????
I have this suspicion I need to apologize in advance for my comments to follow but there’s not a rat’s a**’d chance of that happening.
I don’t care if or if not someone keyed his car or gave him a hard time. The guy just killed 12 people and wounded 30 others. Of course he’s mentally ill, that kind of death toll makes him a sociopath. May he rot in Gitmo, may the Federal Government keep Gitmo open solely for him to rot in, until he does die.
I’m gay. I’ve been bashed twice, almost losing my right eye in one of those beatings. I’ve had feces smeared on my dorm room door, was chased through my dorm by some enraged lunatic with a baseball bat trying to beat me with it. I’ve had to witness, endure, be subjected to all the b*llsh*t this culture’s warred over all my life. Boo freaking hoo. Never once, even at moments of near despair did it ever even become a revenge fantasy to take a weapon and wreck death upon anyone.
This guy has never been deployed, his car may or may not have been keyed. He wasn’t drafted; he wasn’t shanghaied; no press gang knocked him out and forced him aboard. He volunteered and entered into contract with the US Army to provide his education for a term of service. He donned the uniform, took an oath and entered into service of his own accord. If he had a problem with the terms of that service, after reaping the reward of that service, he had recourse: a Court Martial and a term in jail. That’s often the cost of “conscience” and civil disobedience. If jail’s good enough for Thoreau, it’s good enough for someone who strikes a bargain and then recoils at the cost.
I don’t see let alone feel his pain. Now not being a sociopath, I still have my inherent human capacity for compassion. Yet that compassion goes where it belongs: to those he killed, to those he wounded, to their families and to us. I haven’t much more than an ounce for him. So again I say, may he rot in Gitmo. It’s a fate better than he’s earned.
You might want to rethink that question hc4bo, as it’s not exactly practical given the contracts you sign.
For motive Lake Lady, see late night update in main page post, for starters.
ok now reading new updates this significant event may explode into something of our very worst fears: an american muslim who sympathized with suicide bombers and- if ap sources correct- sympathized with extreme palestinian elements- has committed an act of terrorism. i worry- if confirmed mroe fully- that violence against american muslims will flaire. i also fear people blaming american jews – like after 9-11. the death toll is likely to go up they say as some are very seriously wounded. my worst fear about terorism is something like this. brtiain has a ngihtmare on her hands with homegrown terrosits- citizens who go online and turn towards acts of terror. i am afraid the nightmare is here and actualized in ft hood. a new test for obama has arrived.
huffpo is updating here- im growing more alarmed with each update.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/malik-nadal-hasan-fort-ho_n_347620.html
autumnal your point are valid.
Just have to wait for more information. A lot of questions have to be answered.
I doubt at this point there will be much reported by local media that isn’t in the national. The bits and pieces locally reported yesterday included the keying of Hasan’s car. That was presented as one of multiple pieces of information, nothing more.As guyski says, “A lot of questions have to be answered,” not the least of which is how it is someone apparently quite unstable (based on reports thus far) was considered appropriate to send to a war zone, in a mental / emotional health care role.
I share the concerns about the possible consequences from this incident — both regarding more attacks by others in the nation who identify as Muslim, and regarding the potential for those of the Muslim faith once again to be lumped together with “terrorists.”
The “hospital off base” at which Hasan is under guard is the same one that yesterday was rumored to have “one of the shooters in ER.”
“He was a dedicated, hard-working provider who did really care for his patients,” said Col. Kimberly Kesling, the deputy commander for clinical services. “Sometimes people have demons we don’t know about and make bad choices . . . People who take care of people with problems can develop problems of their own.”
I am certain that it is possible that Maj Hasan did not convey his mental illness to those who worked with him.
I just want to thank Joyce Arnold for being our eyes on this tragedy from Texas.
It’s a great example of how important every one of you are in your states. T4h has done this on different things in Texas, with Lake Lady doing it as well with Claire McCaskill. Local eyes turned to citizen reporters is so important.
Hats off to Joyce.
pmichael
There is no place in these United States more dedicated to “gun control” than a military base. As observed by 2nd Amendment blow-hards the military definitely believes in hitting ones target is an objective of gun control. More seriously the military, because it deals with death and destruction on daily basis, has a very healthy respect for what small arms can do. There is no firing line more buttoned-down and safety conscious than the ones run by the armed forces. The procedures for turning over a weapon during a guard shift are very strict. God help the soldier, sailor, air-man, or marine who accidentally discharges a small arm. S/he will at the very least be buried in a mountain of paperwork and become the butt of jokes. At worst that servicemember will have to face the military justice system.
The Military is very specific about what, where, when and by whom small arms may be carried. Not even local law enforcement agents are allowed to come on to a base armed. The cops have to turn in their weapons at the front gate.
In the Navy the side-arms are more for show than anything, only Shore Patrol with the specific training have functional pistols. The rest of the unwashed masses are Barney Fifed. The sailors carry the UN-loaded side arm in a holster on one side of the body and the ammunition (two clips) on the other side of the body. Even during security drills the empty sidearm is carried in one hand and the clip is held in the other hand. The marriage is seldom consummated as the couple is routinely returned to their separate compartments.
One of the questions that will have to be answered is how a medical officer, who had no good reason to be armed, managed to smuggle a weapon and ammunition onto Fort Drum. There was a breakdown in security operations and standard operating procedures. More than likely some senior people at the base are going to be offered “the opportunity to investigate the multitude of options that the civilian job market offers.”
I’ve noted that different folks here offer a local, “eyes on” events and people, Taylor. I’m glad to have been able to relay some of what I was hearing, but I do hope any future possibilities are of a very different nature.
One last thought: Kimberly Munley’s role in continuing to fire at Hasan even after he had wounded her was reported by local media yesterday, and then picked up by national. Her actions, along with those of many who were reported to have immediately begun first aid, no doubt saved lives. Real heroes do step up.
Money quote from Bloomburg ( http://bit.ly/1HZtzT ) “General Will Grimsley, deputy commander of III Corps, said Hasan fired only one weapon, a Belgian-make semi-automatic machine pistol with an extended magazine. He said Hasan reloaded and fired more than 100 rounds. Investigators are still finding shell casings, he said.
Hasan also carried a .357 magnum handgun but apparently didn’t fire it, Grimsley said.
Weapon Ownership
Rossi, at his press conference last night, said the weapons weren’t issued by the military. They were owned by Hasan and bought locally.”
This tragedy got a big assist from our gun-crazy culture. A culture that can not ask the common sense question “why would anyone ‘need’ a semi-automatic machine pistol?” or “exactly what is the point of a civilian having that kind of fire-power?” The good doctor was casually allowed to purchase an offensive weapon. The only screening for the purchase was “cash or charge?”