Massacre On post Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 05:07 AM By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald

FORT HOOD – A Medical Corps officer from Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center opened fire at a Soldier Readiness Processing site Thursday afternoon, killing 13 and wounding 30.

The suspect, who was shot at least four times, was identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. He survived and was in stable to critical condition as of Thursday night, said Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, III Corps and Fort Hood commander. Hasan's death was not imminent, Cone added when questioned further about the suspect's status.

"It's a terrible tragedy," Cone said. "It's stunning."

He went on to say that Criminal Investigation Division agents were by Hasan's side at all times following his apprehension, though they had not conducted interviews with him as of Thursday night.

Cone reported at about 4 p.m. that Hasan was shot and killed by law enforcement officials, though he said four hours later that the suspect was alive.

It was also initially reported that a civilian Fort Hood law enforcement officer, who was believed to be the first to arrive on the scene about 1:30 p.m., was shot and killed. Cone said the officer was alive and she was in stable condition. She hit Hasan with a single shot, Cone said.

Though he would not give an exact time line, the general said the incident unfolded in a "close sequence of events."

The 13 dead were killed at the Soldier Readiness Processing site, located next to Fort Hood's Howze Theater. Deploying and returning personnel go to the site for final paperwork and health checks. Because Thursday was a "make-up" day for processing, not one specific unit had soldiers at the site. It was a number of units from across Fort Hood, Cone said.

The suspect was dressed in an Army Combat Uniform and opened fire, according to reports. He used two pistols – one semiautomatic – and Cone said there was no indication they were military weapons.

The injured were taken to a variety of local hospitals, including Darnall. Cone would not specify where Hasan was taken, but did reveal he was airlifted to an off-post medical facility.

Three other soldiers were suspected following the shooting and were taken into custody, Cone said. They were later released and there is no indication they were involved. Investigators questioned more than 100 people who were at the scene at the time, Cone said, and the installation was locked down to err on the side of caution.

Cone said he was on scene shortly after the incident. Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment provided security in the area surrounding the Soldier Readiness Processing site.

Officials said little when questioned about Hasan's motive and background. Information from the Army lists him as an active-duty soldier in the Medical Corps at Darnall.

Fort Hood officials are focusing on three areas, Cone said Thursday night: care for the wounded, installation security and casualty assistance efforts, which include family notifications and grief counseling.

The post's security will be heightened in the coming days, Cone said.

Army policy requires that next of kin be notified before name and other personal information is released to the public.

Today is a day of mourning, Cone said.

Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.