The single suspect in the mass shootings at Fort Hood Thursday is not dead, contrary to earlier reports from Fort Hood.
"There was confusion at the hospital," Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said.
After a 5 p.m. press conference, Lt. Gen. Cone said the suspect, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, was dead. However, he gave a second press conference later that night, clarifying that the suspect is, in fact, alive.
Cone would not comment on Hasan's condition, but said "his death is not imminent."
The incident began at 1:30 p.m., when the Army said Hasan entered the Soldiers Readiness Processing Center and Howze Theater on Fort Hood and opened fire, using two handguns.
"One was a semi-automatic weapon, which might explain the rate of fire that he apparently obtained," Cone said.
Cone said there is no indication that the weapons were military weapons.
Soldiers in the facility were waiting for dental and medical treatment. Sources indicate the facility is used to brief troops getting ready for deployment, as well as facilitate health checks to make sure they are physically and mentally equipped.
Cone said first responders at a college graduation ceremony, taking place 50 meters away, were able to close the doors and protect some 600 people inside.
Lt. Gen. Cone said a first responder who shot the suspect was also originally thought to be dead.
"Earlier it was reported that one victim that was killed, was a female civilian officer, we now know that the female officer is alive, just out of surgery and in stable condition," Cone said.
Cone said two civilians were also injured.
The shootings did not stop at the processing center, but proceeded at an adjacent facility.
When the shooting immediately happened, witnesses said they saw people leaving the scene.
Two other soldiers were initially apprehended and take into custody, but later released. Cone said evidence suggests Hasan was the single shooter.
Cone said a Criminal Investigation Command agent has been with Hasan since his capture, and remains with him during his hospitalization.
Despite earlier speculation, Cone also said evident does not suggest a terrorist attack. Military police and the FBI are investigating the incident
"As horrible as this was, I think it could have been much worse," Cone said.
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Press Conference
Watch the complete press conference with Lt. Gen. Robert Cone.
 
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Cone said many of the soldiers are trained as combat lifesavers, though, with the exception of security, soldiers on Fort Hood do not carry weapons, unless at training event. A combination of military police and Department of the Army civilian police provide security for the base.
"God bless these soldiers and these great Department of the Army civilians," Cone said. "People tell stories of soldiers ripping their uniforms apart and basically applying first aid."
The Fort Hood officials said a number of units were affected and the post will be responding to victims and families with casualty notification and grief counseling.
Cone said security will be increased at Fort Hood, in the coming days.
A day of mourning will take place Friday.
