Fort Hood Shooting

[ScreaminChief]

I can't believe this. Killeen, TX and Ft Hood are like my second home.


(CNN) -- Eleven people plus a gunman were dead and 31 wounded after the gunman opened fire Thursday on a soldier-processing center at Fort Hood, Texas, officials said.

The gunman was a soldier, and two other soldiers have been detained as suspects, Army Lt. Gen. Bob Cone said.

The slain gunman was identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, a law enforcement source told CNN. Licensed in Virginia, Hasan was a psychiatrist who previously worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center but more recently was practicing at Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, according to professional records.

Ten of the other dead also were soldiers, while the remaining one was a civilian police officer who was working as a contractor on the base, Cone said.

Two of the injured were in "very serious" condition, Fort Hood spokesman Christopher Hogue said.

More than one shooter may have been involved, Cone said.

"All the casualties took place at the initial incident, that took place at 13:30 [1:30 p.m. CT], at the soldier readiness facility," Cone said.


The primary shooter had two weapons, both handguns, he said.

"The local police response forces were there relatively quickly and killed the confirmed shooter," Cone said.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said she was told that the soldiers at the readiness facility "were filling out paper processing to go to Iraq or Afghanistan," according to CNN affiliate KXAN in Austin, Texas.

[ClutterbusterNY]

It's amazing that one person would be able to do so much damage.
This is tragic and ironic. Many of the dead and wounded had been deployed to a war zone or were about to be. It goes to show that when it is your time, that's it. I've heard of quite a few Military members who made it back safely from combat only to be killed by neighbor gang violence or accidents.
Does it hurt any more knowing that the perp was a Soldier? Yes I suppose it does.
Rest in Peace Soldiers, prayers gone up for your families.

[USMC Chuter]

This incident really chaps my ass. Not only for the obvious heartbreaking reasons, but for the already-unfolding responses by the government and media.

Before the scent of gunpowder was out of the air, "they" were tripping all over themselves to deny that this was terrorism, and to downplay the ethnicity and religion of the piece of shit shooter. Fox News brought on a cousin of the suspect, letting him pollute the airwaves with his complaints that the shooter had been "harrassed" because of his religion.

The focus should be on airing the facts, supporting the families of the fallen, and continuing the mission. Forget the politically correct crap. Call a spade a spade, or a terrorist a terrorist as the case may be. Even when the terrorist is "one of our own", although I think "infiltrator" is more appropriate.

Watch-"they" are going to continue to downplay the (extremely valid) religion and ethnicity issue. No, I'm not saying that all Muslims are terrorists or shouldn't be allowed to serve, etc, but I AM saying that we need to quit being politically correct pussies, and maybe begin looking at concrete issues realistically rather than worrying about how it might make someone "feel".

[Brad]

Here's how CNN's playing it, "just a really great guy, soldiers soldier, who had some issues"...

----

(CNN) -- A picture began to emerge Thursday of the suspect in the Fort Hood shootings as a mental-health professional who had worked to help others in high-stress situations.

The alleged gunman was identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, military officials said. Hasan's office at the base's Darnall Army Medical Center is about a mile from where the shootings occurred.

Though it was previously reported he was dead, officials reported late Thursday he was alive, wounded and in stable condition.

Staff Sgt. Marc Molano, currently based at Fort Knox, Kentucky, told CNN he was treated by Hasan for post-traumatic stress disorder while at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington earlier this year.

"Dr. Hasan provided me with nothing but the best care," Molana said. "He was a very well-mannered, polite psychiatrist, and it's just a shock to know that Dr. Hasan could have done this. It's still kind of hard to believe."

Molano described him as "far and away one of the best psychiatrists I ever dealt with."

A soldier who served two tours in Iraq and is awaiting medical retirement for chronic PTSD and severe mental disorders called Hasan "a soldier's soldier who cared about our mental health."

But, he added, "Hasan hears nothing but these horror stories from soldiers who come back from Iraq and Afghanistan -- just hearing it I'm pretty sure would have a profound effect."

Mindy B. Mechanic, an associate professor of psychology at California State University, Fullerton, said listening to horror stories can indeed have an impact, but was unlikely to have such an extreme one.

The impact on therapists who work with traumatized individuals is known as vicarious traumatization or compassion fatigue, she said. "But they don't go out on shooting sprees," she said. "They might get depressed or have some emotional fallout from it, but to go on a shooting spree is not part of what happens to people from having to deal with trauma survivors all the time."

Mechanic -- who did not know Hasan -- said people don't just snap. "When you start looking back, there are crumbs that suggest everything was not hunky-dory."

According to military records, Hasan was born in Virginia, and a federal official said he was a U.S. citizen of Jordanian descent.

Military records show Hasan receiving his appointment to the Army as a first lieutenant in June 1997 after graduating from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, with a degree in biochemistry.

Six years later, he graduated from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences' F. Edward Hebert School Of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, and was first an intern, then a resident and finally a fellow at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Promoted to captain in 2003, he was promoted to major in May.

In 2009, Hasan he completed a fellowship in disaster and preventive psychiatry and was assigned to Darnall in July.

He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, but was never deployed outside the United States.

Nader Hasan, Hasan's first cousin, issued a statement on behalf of the family:

"We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events at Fort Hood today. We send the families of the victims our most heartfelt sympathies. We, like most of America, know very few details at this time.

"Here is what we do know about our cousin. Nidal was an American citizen. He was born in Arlington, Virginia, and raised here in America. He attended local high schools and eventually went on to attend Virginia Tech.

"We are filled with grief for the families of today's victims. Our family loves America. We are proud of our country, and saddened by today's tragedy. Because this situation is still unfolding, we have nothing else that we are able to share with you at this time."

CNN

[Brad]

USA Today:

A disgruntled doctor

Hasan was born in Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech university, according to The Roanoke Times archives.

He later received two degrees from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., according to Hasan's military record and a university newsletter.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Austin, was briefed by military officials and said Hasan had taken some unusual classes for someone studying about mental health.

"He took a lot of extra classes in weapons training, which seems a little odd for a psychiatrist," McCaul said.

McCaul said Hasan had received poor grades for his work at Walter Reed and was not happy about his situation in Fort Hood, where Hasan apparently felt like "he didn't fit in."

"He's disgruntled because he had a poor performance evaluation, he doesn't believe in the mission, he's looking at getting transferred to Afghanistan or Iraq," McCaul said. "He's not happy about all that."

McCaul added that officials planned to interview Hasan to try to determine for sure that he was not working with foreign agents.

"From an intelligence standpoint, that's key, finding out if he talked to anyone overseas," McCaul said.

Hasan had come to the attention of federal law enforcement officials at least six months ago because of Internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats, according to a federal law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case.

The official said investigators were trying to confirm that Hasan was the author of the postings, one of which was a blog that equates suicide bombers with a soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades. One of the officials said federal search warrants were being drawn up to authorize seizure of Hasan's computer.

[ScreaminChief]

There are witness accounts now of this guy saying `Allahu Akbar' before he opened fire. As a lot of you know that means 'God is great' and is usually what muslim extremists say just before a suicide boming or other terrorist act. If these latest reports are confirmed, such as the internet postings Brad posted about, this guy better not get one thing from this government! No SGLI, no military funeral, NOTHING! I want his ass ground up into dog food and shipped back to his home of record in a Hefty bag.

[USMC Chuter]

Exactly, Chief! It is beyond my imigination, how they can say that this doesn't appear to be a terrorist incident. WTF is it then? All this horse shit about his anti-war feelings, how he was teased after 9/11... I guarantee you if it was a McVeigh instead of a Hasan they would be calling the act exactly what it is-a terrorist attack.

[AmericanGirl]

The more that comes out, the angrier I get... and the worst part is now we get to pay for his medical care and a trial if he even goes to trial.

[ScreaminChief]

Now I'm reading that Hasan, (I refuse to call that jack-off "major") is paralyzed from the waist down. He said he has no feeling in his legs and pain in his hands. The doctor says his condition may never improve. I disagree. When he's executed, it will improve tremendously.

[ClutterbusterNY]

I thought military execution was death by firing squad, but it appears they
use lethal injection as well. That's disappointing, I think it's definitely too easy for the creep.

[USMC Chuter]

I couldn't help but notice that the guy was charged with multiple counts of murder within a week of the incident.. Call me crazy, but I tend to wonder whether that particular charge was rushed to the table to block subsequent attempts to file terrorism charges. Just a thought..

[ScreaminChief]

It's possible. I would assume they are reporting the most obvious charge first. They may file additional charges after further investigation. I'm sure the media won't let go until they answer the terrorist question definatively. Either way, 13 violations of Article 118 should get him a one-way ticket off this planet. I think they should still make him break rocks sitting in a wheelchair until his sentence is carried out.

[USMC Chuter]

My money says there will be no further charges-at least none pertaining to anything that starts with the letter "T". They're going to paint this entirely as a criminal matter, like they're attempting to do with upcoming 9/11 trial in NYC (don't even get me started)..

I agree though that he should make big rocks little rocks from the relative comfort of his wheelchair. Whatever Uncle Same can do to ensure a lengthy and miserable stay on Earth is fine with me.

[ScreaminChief]

Additional charges made against this ass-hat, but still not the "T word". You may be right Chuter. It will interesting to see what other charges are made.

(CNN) -- Nidal Malik Hasan, the alleged shooter in the Fort Hood massacre, will face 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder, Army officials said Wednesday.

Hasan already has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder for the 13 people who were fatally shot on November 5.

The 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder are related to 30 soldiers and two civilians injured in the shooting, according to a Fort Hood news release.

Additional charges are possible, the statement said.

Investigators say Hasan, a 39-year-old Army psychiatrist, began shooting at a processing center at the Army post. He was shot and paralyzed from the waist down during the assault. He is being treated at a military hospital.

He has not entered a plea on the charges of premeditated murder. His attorney did not return calls from CNN seeking comment on the additional charges.

The incident prompted military brass at Fort Hood to tighten security procedures and expand mental health services.

The Defense Department also has initiated a 45-day review to determine whether weaknesses in programs or procedures put service members and their families at risk. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is to receive a report on the findings by January 15.

Programs under review will include periodic counseling sessions, health assessment programs for service members, personnel policies and release and discharge policies, the military said.

Soldiers affected by the Fort Hood attack have been screened for mental health problems, the military said. They will be rescreened 90 days after the event.

[ScreaminChief]

On a side note, I'll be visiting Fort Hood next week. If any of you would like to send a care package to Hasan, I'll be more than happy to bring it along.

[ClutterbusterNY]