Officials say shooter in Fort Hood mass shooting not dead Updated: 11/5/2009 4:11 PM By: News 8 Austin Staff
Lt. Gen. Robert Cone speaks to members of the press about the mass shootings.
A mass shooting Thursday at Fort Hood, the largest U.S. Army base in the world, has resulted in 12 deaths and 31 wounded.
Lt. Gen. Robert Cone orginally said at about 5 p.m. that the suspected shooter, a soldier, was shot and killed. Cone later said at an 8 p.m. press conference that the shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, is, in fact, not dead.
Cone said Hasan was shot multiple times, but would not comment on his condition.
"I would say his death is not imminent," Cone said.
Major Nidal Malik Hasan was shot multiple times, but is in stable condition.
According to reports, two suspects, also soldiers, were taken into custody, but later released.
Officials at Fort Hood said the incident began at 1:30 p.m. when one soldier entered the Soldiers Readiness Processing Center and Howze Theater on Fort Hood and opened fire.
Shots were reported after the initial shooting at Comanche 4 Housing Unit.
Nine of the 11 victims were reportedly from Fort Hood. There is not yet word on the other victims.
Scott & White Memorial Hospital said it has received 10 gunshot victims from Fort Hood. The hospital said all patients are adults, and no other victims are expected to arrive at Scott & White in Temple or at any of Scott & White locations.
Blood Donors
Scott & White hospital in Temple needs blood donors for Fort Hood victims. Call (254) 724-4376 for more information.
News reports indicated the attack could have been a terrorist attack, however, Lt. Gen. Cone said the suspect who opened fire and was later shot was a soldier.
President Barack Obama called the incident a "horrific outburst of violence" at a 4 p.m. news conference, following news of the shootings.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Mass Shootings News 8's Chie Saito has more on the developing story from Fort Hood. Press Conference Lt. Gen. Robert Cone has more about the shootings.
"It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil," Obama said. "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and the families of the fallen."
Obama said the FBI, the Pentagon and Homeland Security are working together to investigate the incident.
Fort Hood was only allowing the Department of Defense and Texas Rangers to enter the post. Families are being turned away, without information.
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The Fort Hood post was on lockdown until 7 p.m.
According to officer guarding an entrance gate, who did not want to be identified, everyone on base was moved to specific locations or told to stay locked in doors.
All vehicles had to be searched before being allowed in again, and everybody on the base had to be accounted for.
There are nine schools on the base. The elementary schools on the base were released before the incident, and the remaining schools were on lockdown, but were are confirmed safe.
All Temple Independent School District schools was also put on soft lockdown, authorities said.
Fort Hood is the largest U.S. Army base in the world.
The mass shooting is not the first to plague the Killeen-Fort Hood area.
Up until the Virginia Tech Massacre of April 2007, the Luby’s Cafeteria Massacre in Killeen marked the most deadly shooting rampage in U.S. history.
On Oct. 16, 1991, George Jo Hennard drove his pick-up truck into a Luby’s Cafeteria and then shot and killed 23 people, wounding another 20. He then committed suicide by shooting himself.
Finding Loved Ones
Family members of soldiers at Fort Hood should text, not call, loved ones, as the air ways are jammed due to high traffic.
All 23 victims were from Central Texas.
In response to the massacre, the Texas Legislature passed a “shall-issue” gun law in 1995 which required that all qualifying applicants be issued a concealed handgun license, removing the personal discretion of the issuing authority to deny such licenses.
Other Statements
"I ask all Texans to please join me in sending their thoughts and prayers to the victims of this horrible act. This tragedy is a reminder that every member of our U.S. Armed Services is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, and in Texas we will do everything we can to continue to support the victims of today's mass shooting, their families and our entire military community." - Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst
“The Texas family suffered a significant loss today with the tragedy at Fort Hood. Along with all Texans, Anita and I are keeping those affected by today’s incidents in our thoughts and prayers. We are deeply saddened by today’s events, but resolve to continue supporting our troops and protecting our citizens.” – Gov. Rick Perry
Voters' Guide For Central Texas Election Information, including a list of statewide candidates and links to county voting locations, click the link. Primary election day is March 2. The general election is Nov. 2.
Tuesday morning, a judge agreed to hear a divorce case between a same-sex couple. This is the second case heard in Texas. Do you agree with his decision to hear the case?