Fort Hood, Texas
The man accused of killing 13 people and wounding 29 at Fort Hood is able to talk, a hospital spokesman said Monday, but it’s unknown when investigators might take advantage of his improving health to press forward with their probe into the shooting spree.
Authorities say Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan fired off more than 100 rounds Thursday at a soldier processing center before civilian police shot him in the torso. He was taken into custody and eventually moved to an Army hospital in San Antonio, where he was in stable condition and able to talk, said Dewey Mitchell, a Brooke Army Medical Center spokesman.
Authorities continue to refer to Hasan, 39, as the only suspect in the shootings, but they won’t say when charges would be filed and have said they have not determined a motive. A spokesman for Army investigators did not immediately respond to calls and e-mails seeking comment Monday.
Retired Col. John P. Galligan said he was contacted Monday by Hasan’s family, which asked him to be their lawyer. Galligan said he was hoping to meet with Hasan later in the day.
“Until I meet with him, it’s best to say we’re just going to protect all of his rights,” he said. Galligan said he did not know Hasan’s condition.
Fifteen of the shooting victims remained hospitalized with gunshot wounds, and eight were in intensive care.
The personal Web site for a radical American imam living in Yemen who had contact with two 9/11 hijackers praised Hasan as a hero.
The posting Monday on the Web site for Anwar al Awlaki, who was a spiritual leader at two mosques where three 9/11 hijackers worshipped, said American Muslims who condemned the Fort Hood attack are hypocrites who have committed treason against their religion.
Awlaki said the only way a Muslim can justify serving in the U.S. military is if he intends to “follow in the footsteps of men like Nidal.”
“Nidal Hassan (sic) is a hero,” Awlaki said. “He is a man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people.”
Two U.S. intelligence officials told The Associated Press the Web site was Awlaki’s. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence collection. Awlaki did not immediately respond to an attempt to contact him through the Web site.
Hasan’s family attended the Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., where Awlaki was preaching in 2001. Hasan’s mother’s funeral was held at the mosque on May 31, 2001, according to her obituary in the Roanoke Times newspaper, around the same time two 9/11 hijackers worshipped at the mosque and while Awlaki was preaching.
Awlaki is a native-born U.S. citizen who left the United States in 2002, eventually traveling to Yemen. He was released from a Yemeni jail last year and has since gone missing. He is on Yemen’s most wanted militant list, according to three Yemeni security officials.
The officials say Awlaki was arrested in 2006 with a small group of suspected al-Qaida militants in the capital San’a. They say he was released more than a year later after signing a pledge he will not break the law or leave the country. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
The Falls Church mosque is one of the largest on the East Coast, and thousands of worshippers attend prayers and services there every week.
Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, outreach director at Dar al Hijrah, said he did not know whether Hasan ever attended the mosque but confirmed that the Hasan family participated in services there. Abdul-Malik said the Hasans were not leaders at the mosque and their attendance was normal.
The London Telegraph first reported the potential link between Hasan and the mosque.
Sen. Joe Lieberman said Sunday he wants Congress to determine whether the shootings constitute a terrorist attack and whether warning signs that Hasan was embracing an increasingly extremist view of Islamic ideology were missed.
Classmates who participated in a 2007-2008 master’s program at a military college told The Associated Press that they complained to faculty during the program about what they considered to be Hasan’s anti-American views, which included his giving a presentation that justified suicide bombing and telling classmates that Islamic law trumped the U.S. Constitution.
“If Hasan was showing signs, saying to people that he had become an Islamist extremist, the U.S. Army has to have zero tolerance,” Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “He should have been gone.”
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey said Sunday it’s important for the country not to get caught up in speculation about Hasan’s Muslim faith, and he has instructed his commanders to be on the lookout for anti-Muslim reaction to the killings at the Texas post.
Casey, who appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and CNN’s “State of the Union,” said evidence to this point shows that Hasan acted alone.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend a memorial service Tuesday honoring victims of the attack. Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the post commander, said the service will include a roll call of names of the dead and a 21-gun salute.
Fort Hood officials said the country’s largest military installation was moving forward with the business of soldiering. The building where Hasan allegedly opened fire remains a crime scene, but a processing center is scheduled to reopen Thursday in a new, temporary location.
Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr. said Monday that reopening the center is an important step in returning the Army post to normal. Cone said the post stepped up security, including suspending visits by the public, largely to reassure the population that the sprawling base is safe and won’t “become a battlefield.”
Sgt. 1st Class Frank Minnie was in the processing center last week getting some health tests and immunizations in preparation for his deployment. Minnie said that even after the shootings, Fort Hood soldiers have the attitude that “the mission still goes on.”
“Everybody’s going to grieve a little bit. It hurts a lot because it’s one of your battle buddies, and someone lost a mom, dad, brother or sister,” said Minnie, 37, who served in Iraq in 2006. “But it doesn’t change my perspective of going to war. I’ve got a job to do.”
stjakk said on November 5, 2009 at 3:12 PM
I can't imagine that 2 or 3 soldiers all decided that today they go to flip city and kill a pile of comrades and civilians....so i'm thinking terrorist attack................PS..this new format SUKKS!!!!!!!!!!!!......
texpert2 said on November 5, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I am so sorry to hear of this. These men give their all for our country, and certainly don't expect to be at risk of injury or death on a stateside base. I pray for both the injured and the dead and all who love them. If it turns out that members of the military are responsible, I will pray for them, because the strain many of these people have been under is inestimable. Finally, I pray for our country. This incident and what it might portend is terribly frightening. I hope that our leaders will make wise decisions in the days ahead.
lbrando said on November 5, 2009 at 3:23 PM
@ stjakk - they have reported that so far they are not sure if the shooters are military. I'm sure they know but they are not releasing the info. I guess it very well may be,a s the article says, there's some mental problems due to fighting in two wars. I never really thought about it but that's really unfair, if they have fought in one battle then they should be exempt from the next one. Anyway, I agree about the new format. It will take some getting used to.
herdincats said on November 5, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I've seen first hand what it takes to get onto a military base. It is quite unlikely that this is not random. I guess we'll find out when they catch both suspects.
herdincats said on November 5, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Sorry, let me repost my comment. I've seen first hand what it takes to get onto a military base. It isn't that easy. It is quite unlikely that this is random. I guess we'll find out when they catch both suspects.
herdincats said on November 5, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I've seen first hand what it takes to get onto a military base. It isn't that easy It is quite unlikely that this is random. I guess we'll find out when they catch both suspects.
lmkboomer said on November 5, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I have a brother-in-law that is stationed at Food Hood, have not been able to reach him or his wife. Have they issued any contact line for family? If any one has heard please post.
chevy_princess said on November 5, 2009 at 3:44 PM
My brother is in the Army and has fought over seas several times! My heart goes out to the familys that have lost today. It always sucks to lose someone but to lose them on our own american soil just seems so vain n un heroic. God help them, each and every one of them!
doddj22 said on November 5, 2009 at 3:49 PM
This makes me sick! My husband was scheduled to go to Fort Hood today. Thank goodness our son was sick and I couldnt take off work. I will be sure to kiss him a little longer tonight.. I cant even comment without bursting into tears! I hope these individuals are given the death penalty!! These guys are getting ready to deploy and should not have to worry about there saftey at an Army Base! My prayers to the famlies, I have feared through 3 deployments and now I will fear durning the routine visits to bases. I understand but cant imagine what you are going through. My prayers will be with you tonight! God Bless and RIP my heroes!
cantu_120 said on November 5, 2009 at 3:53 PM
I agree with you stjakks! khou changed everything around.....and it sucks alright. I like it better the way it was! I wonder why they changed. The photo gallery is okay, but the forum is dumb!!!
daisymay said on November 5, 2009 at 4:00 PM
12 dead. 31 Injured. One shooter killed, one of the dead was a civilian police officer. RIP. World gone mad.
daisymay said on November 5, 2009 at 4:04 PM
web@khou.com Email comments/suggestions to this address. They are working on it, and haven't gotten all the bugs out yet. As for the story, my daughter is at Fort Bragg, NC but she has quite a few friends from Basic at Fort Hood and is trying to reach them.
wheels said on November 5, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Who is the real enemy? Why are we shooting at each other? I wonder what the gun control nuts are going to say about this? Take the guns away from the military? This is a horrible story.
rustx65 said on November 5, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Senseless violence and on our home soil no less. I can't wait to see what those two pieces of you know what have to say for themselves. May they soon meet the fate of their fallen comrade...
redbone said on November 5, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Lock down the border.
1usa1 said on November 5, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I can' t figure out what would makes these cowards do something like this. ???
whiskeyangel said on November 5, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Does anyone know about the other bases in Texas are they on lockdown? My brother in law is at Fort Bliss and we can't get through to him.
whiskeyangel said on November 5, 2009 at 5:22 PM
You know it's getting bad when now not only do we worry about our armed forces over there now we have to worry about them here on american soil because the military doesn't give a S#*T! about their mental state as long as they can pull a trigger. I feel the same as another person that posted that they should not be sent over multiple times. I have a friend that in the past 4years he had been deployed 3 times. Not to mention the fact that it seems more terrorist have been arrested here than over there...
ilmpb said on November 5, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Rest in peace soldiers. The shooter is a coward. A pathetic coward.
dubie said on November 5, 2009 at 5:51 PM
REST IN PEACE BROTHERS,YOU WONT BE FORGOTTEN
daisymay said on November 5, 2009 at 5:57 PM
They're killing us from the inside now. Terrorists have infiltrated our Armed Services. It's like 9-11 all over again, the shock, the feeling of being attacked on our own soil from terrorists that were not born/bred here in the US of A. Rest in peace and speedy recovery to those that are wounded. What a horrific event. Absolutely heartbreaking.
dubie said on November 5, 2009 at 6:18 PM
you see his name
turner397 said on November 5, 2009 at 7:31 PM
This is a difficult thing to accept. Please find more from me on my face book. I just so happened to have written an article this morning. Rhonda Turner is my name on face book. Must read to appreciate my thoughts and comments. My God, My God................................................................................................
bearfoot said on November 5, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Another report is saying the shooter is alive and in stable condition after surgery
daisymay said on November 5, 2009 at 9:20 PM
You're right bearfoot, they updated the story and it now says he's alive and stable. That's too bad.
donnad said on November 5, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Amazing in the rush to report the gruesome story huge mistakes are made in the actual happenings. Reminds me of that Eagles song "Dirty Laundry"...."is the head dead yet"? People WANT to hear every gruesome detail as soon as possible. Also, about the comments about Muslims. I am a Christian woman and it's not just Muslim people who do things like this. Radical Muslim groups do, but there are crazies in ALL religions, Christianity included. Look at that crazy bunch of radical Mormons who sexually abuse little girls and beat their wives so they stay submissive and subservient. We are just a bit more critical of the Muslim religion because of the war in the middle east. The Muslims are a God fearing people and believe in true peace, not condoning extremes like this shooter at Ft. Hood today. I always look to Channel 11 to bring me accurate news reporting and accurate in a timely manner. I challenge you at Channel 11 to not go with the flow...report it ONLY when it's been checked
johnking said on November 5, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Are Muslims evil?
johnking said on November 5, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Mormons aren't Christians dude!
armymom said on November 5, 2009 at 10:43 PM
My son is stationed at Ft Hood, I am just relieved that he is at home on leave. But, my heart and prayers go out to the families and friends of the people that lost their lives and the ones that were wounded. This was a very unnecessary event that should not have happened. God bless the family and friends of the fallen. God bless America.
luisa1948 said on November 6, 2009 at 1:17 AM
I wonder how many more Muslims are in our military who would turn against us? This is very, very, serious. Our government needs to look into this with a fine tooth comb. We cannot let this happen every again. Maybe they need to interview all the "Muslims" in our military to see where their loyalty is.
txjimmie said on November 6, 2009 at 2:23 AM
Why are they continuing to be allowed to live among us, to serve in our military, to breathe our air? How many more episodes are needed before they are rounded up?
attyvette said on November 6, 2009 at 6:45 AM
sad-looks like another radical muslim-when are we going to realize that true devotees to Islam follow their religious teachings telling them to kill all infidels (ie: those not muslims) so they will do so anyplace, anythime, anywhere.May God have mercy on America--we need it!
texmwk said on November 6, 2009 at 7:02 AM
TO the families of FORT HOOD, GOD SPEED<
freeminded said on November 6, 2009 at 7:17 AM
Ok, is it just me or did someone mention closing the border?? Some times terrorism comes from within.
freeminded said on November 6, 2009 at 7:19 AM
Yup, this new format sucks!!
zoe1025 said on November 6, 2009 at 7:59 AM
From what all I have heard on the news this morning this guy was a walking time bomb and they should have known it. All the signs were there. When are we going to stop ignoring the fact that there are those who are ready and willing to destroy us without so much as the blink of an eye. Perhaps they were afraid of being accused of "profiling"? We are in deep trouble and it won't stop until those in charge have the courage to stand up for our rights and do whatever it takes, including closing the borders.
zoe1025 said on November 6, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Terrorism, plain and simple. Call it profiling if you like but this guy had all the classic signs, this never should have happened.
daisymay said on November 6, 2009 at 8:08 AM
“He was mortified by the idea of having to deploy." Why? Because he would have to council servicemen and women who killed his beloved fellow Muslims. Can't have that. "the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar "which is Arabic for "God is great!"". Nice. Please. Tell me again how we shouldn't jump to conclusions. Our soldiers are unarmd sitting ducks on US military bases. To die in battle in one thing, to die from friendly fire shot in the back on US soil, is completely different. Pull the plug on the SOB and be done with it.
pegwitch2 said on November 6, 2009 at 8:41 AM
When I first heard of this on the news I thought it must be a Muslim. All of them need to be kicked out of our military. They can not be faithful to our country. If you read anything about their religion it is not a peaceful religion. This horrible incident should never had happened. I grew up on military bases and had never heard of this happening back then.
darem01 said on November 6, 2009 at 9:26 AM
My prayers go out to all of the soldiers and their families. You are what makes this country so great. Because of this, my trust of Muslims is slowly slipping away.
uglyduckling said on November 6, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Thoughts and prayers to the families and victims of this heinous crime. The fallen are the brave who are willing to give up their lives for us and for democracy and freedom, let us not forget them...
flex832 said on November 6, 2009 at 2:45 PM
This sucks
stjakk said on November 6, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Now that more info is being made available...I am SHOCKED to find out this TERRORIST was not only a member of USArmy but they he was an OFFICER as well. While all the networks tippy toe around "looking for a reason" for this mass murder...the answer is staring us in the face....He was an Islamic fundimentalist whose personal beliefs dictated that he make a stand against an "evil" American agenda........ Hey KHOU,NBC,CBS....ITS ISLAMIC JIHAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mistydawn said on November 9, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Where was Homeland Security when this blogging was going on? GWB gave his blessing to listening in on telephone conversations, and monitoring Internet communications. The FBI claims to have been watching him, but why didn't they communicate their concerns to the Army? Army boss claims that he was a caring officer who looked after the welfare of his patients. Where has she been? I do not condone what this psychiatrist did, but if others were doing what they were paid to do, the dead might still be here. One should never assume that a psychiatrist has it all together--many go off of the deep end.