FORT HOOD, Texas -- Soldiers who witnessed the shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar!" -- an Arabic phrase for "God is great!" -- before opening fire, the base commander said Friday.
Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said officials had not yet confirmed that the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, made the comment before the rampage Thursday. Hasan was among 30 people wounded in the shooting spree and remained hospitalized on a ventilator.
All but two of the injured were still hospitalized, and all were in stable condition.
Military officials were trying to piece together what may have pushed Hasan, an Army psychiatrist trained to help soldiers in distress, to turn on his comrades. Cone said the 39-year-old Hasan was not known to be a threat or risk.
"I'm not aware of any problems here," said Col. Steve Braverman, the Fort Hood hospital commander. "We had no problems with his job performance."
An imam from a mosque Hasan regularly attended said Hasan, a lifelong Muslim, was a committed soldier, gave no sign of extremist beliefs and regularly wore his uniform at prayers.
The motive for the shooting wasn't clear, but Hasan was apparently set to deploy soon and had expressed some anger about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Retired Col. Terry Lee, who said he had worked with Hasan, told Fox News said Hasan had hoped President Barack Obama would pull troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq and got into frequent arguments with others in the military who supported the wars.
Braverman said at a news conference early Friday that Hasan was on deployment orders to Afghanistan. A military official later told The Associated Press that Hasan was to be deployed to Iraq. It was not immediately possible to verify the discrepancy.
The military official, who did not have authorization to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, said Hasan had indicated he didn't want to go to Iraq but was willing to serve in Afghanistan.
A neighbor at the apartment building near Fort Hood where Hasan lived said they had recently discussed his impending deployment to Afghanistan.
"He seemed OK with it," said Edgar Booker, a 58-year-old retired soldier who now works in a cafeteria on the post. "I asked him how he felt about going over there, with their religion and everything, and he said, `It's going to be interesting."'
Cone said authorities have not yet been able to talk to Hasan, but interviews with witnesses went through the night.
Terrorism task force agents planned to interview several of Hasan's relatives Friday, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the case.
Officials are not ruling out the possibility that some of the casualties may have been victims of "friendly fire," that in the mayhem and confusion at the shooting scene some of the responding military officials may have shot some of the victims.
The officer who shot the gunman, Kimberly Munley, also was wounded.
"She happened to encounter the gunman. In an exchange of gunfire, she was wounded but managed to wound him four times," Cone said. "It was an amazing and aggressive performance by this police officer."
Cone said some 300 soldiers had been lined up to get shots and have their eye tested at a Soldier Readiness Center when the shots rang out. He said one soldier who had been shot told him, "I made the mistake of moving and I was shot again." The commander said survivors told him that during the rampage, soldiers "would scramble to the ground and help each other out."
Cone acknowledged that it was "counterintuitive" that a single shooter could hit so many people. But he said the massacre occurred in "close quarters.
"With ricochet fire, he was able to injure that number of people," Cone said. He said authorities were investigating whether Hasan's weapons were properly registered with the military.
The gunfire broke out around 1:30 p.m. Nearby, some soldiers were readying to head into a graduation ceremony for troops and families who had recently earned degrees.
Pastor Greg Schannep had just parked his car along the side of the theater and was about to head into the ceremony when a man in uniform approached him.
"Sir, they are opening fire over there!" the man told him. At first, he thought it was a training exercise -- then heard three volleys and saw people running. As the man who warned him about the shots ran away, he could see the man's back was bloodied from a wound.
Schannep said police and medical and other emergency personnel were on the scene in an instant, telling people to get inside the theater. The post went into lockdown while a search began for a suspect and emergency workers began trying to treat the wounded. Some soldiers rushed to treat their injured colleagues by ripping their uniforms into makeshift bandages to treat their wounds.
"I was confused and just shocked," said Spc. Jerry Richard, 27, who works at the center but was not on duty during the shooting. "Overseas you are ready for it. But here you can't even defend yourself."
The wounded were dispersed among hospitals in central Texas, Cone said. Their identities and the identities of the dead were not immediately released.
Friday was designated a day of mourning at Fort Hood. There also will be a ceremony at the air base to honor the dead.
For six years before reporting for duty at the Texas post in July, Hasan worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center pursuing a career in psychiatry, as an intern, a resident and, last year, a fellow in disaster and preventive psychiatry. The 39-year-old Army major received his medical degree from the military's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001.
But his record wasn't sterling. At Walter Reed, he received a poor performance evaluation, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. And while he was an intern, Hasan had some "difficulties" that required counseling and extra supervision, said Dr. Thomas Grieger, who was the training director at the time.
Faizul Khan, a former imam at a mosque Hasan attended in Silver Spring, Md., said "I got the impression that he was a committed soldier." He said Hasan attended prayers regularly at the mosque in Silver Spring, Md., and was a lifelong Muslim. He spoke often with Hasan about Hasan's desire for a wife.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Hasan's aunt, Noel Hasan of Falls Church, Va., said he had been harassed about being a Muslim in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, and he wanted out of the Army.
"Some people can take it and some people cannot," she said. "He had listened to all of that and he wanted out of the military."
At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.
Investigators had not determined for certain whether Hasan was the author of the posting, and a formal investigation had not been opened before the shooting, said law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case.
The FBI, local police and other agencies searched Hasan's apartment Thursday night after evacuating the complex in Killeen, said city spokeswoman Hilary Shine. She referred questions about what was found to the FBI. The FBI in Dallas referred questions to a spokesman who was not immediately available early Friday morning.
dr_cooper said on November 5, 2009 at 2:54 PM
WHAT is going on? Everyday we see/hear about some new horror happening. From killing a cop, to having sex online with your own daughter, and children disappearing, and now this. Have we gotten to the point where OUR society is completely breaking down? This may be way over some heads, but I think it has to do with the "lawlessness" we see on a daily basis from our government. Thats NOT to excuse any of this behavior. Rather it's only meant that, "stupid does as stupid sees." If our elected leaders can put themselves first, why can't "we" is the mindset. A mindset that says, if you aren't with us you're against us and includes an anything goes mentality. Wish I had an answer. Maybe deciding if the wars we are in are "just" and then acting from THAT decision could be a start. . .
bigdaddyof4 said on November 5, 2009 at 3:07 PM
I hope you are on somebodys watch list dr_cooper. You sound like a genuine loonie! My prayers are with those who are lost and their loved ones. The facts are still coming out but this has the appearance of a terrorist act, whether by one individual or a group, and will likely be a game changer within the military.
seaside said on November 5, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Though we do not yet know the reason for this attack, it is something I have feared for some time now. A friend, who works at the Fort Lewis commisary, has told me that many of the employees are non-U.S. citizens, of ten from the middle east. How does something like this happen? A place that should be secure beyond anything we can imagine, and we have people from areas where we are currently fighting, moving about freely on a post? Maybe this person, with a middle eastern sounding name, might have killed for reasons other than connections to the Taliban, but do we know all of these people working on our base are not spies, or unable to cut ties to their homelands? This would make a fantastic investigation to relieve my concerns.
factoid said on November 5, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Once again my family sends heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed. It seems like we have done this too many times lately. "dr_cooper" I understand what you are saying, you are not a loonie. I think the way Government conducts it's affairs today, this type of lawlessness will become more frequent. The more Government oppresses the people and no longer has our best interest in mind, those who are a little more unstable than the rest of us, will take matters in their own hands. I hope I am wrong, but my sense is that I am not.
bogie1 said on November 5, 2009 at 8:14 PM
as a military wife whose husband has deployed 4 times my heart and prayers goes out to all the military families in texas. i can't imagine..at my home...oh my god...not my family member...never in a milliion years would you think you would get that knock at your door when he hadn't even left home yet!
chuckleeddell said on November 5, 2009 at 8:38 PM
What was his motive? A jihad??
chuckleeddell said on November 5, 2009 at 8:41 PM
What's his motive? A jihad??
chuckleeddell said on November 5, 2009 at 8:44 PM
The only religion in which people commit mass murder is muslim.
jessboogie said on November 6, 2009 at 7:27 AM
dr. cooper is not a loonie, bigdaddyof4. I don't know what you think he wrote.....maybe you ought to re-read the post. Anyhoo......there are terrorist within our country.(obviously) And islam is not a religion of love (again, obviously) We may see more and more of this sort of attack. I am honestly surprised and relieved that after 9/11 we didn't have more jihad attacks on U.S soil. Lets hope and pray that there isn't more coming! Tragic. Horrific. Demonic. Evil.
svjmbc said on November 6, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Islam/Muslim it is a cancer that has penetrated the cell walls and is devouring the innocent from the inside. Why have they been allowed in our country? Not to mention our military! They are very strong in their satanic religion.
truthdector said on November 6, 2009 at 7:55 AM
Obama's Frightening Insensitivity and immediately his slide into the that typcial jocular, smirking tone Following Shooting shows he's a crypto-musilm and supports this action. More to come form these people, you can take that to the bank...
truthdector said on November 6, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Obama's 'people' are on the case, they'll make sure that he gets the H1N1 flu shot ASAP! Just like all the terrorists did in GITMO.
empyrius said on November 6, 2009 at 8:18 AM
And you people think protestantism or catholicism are religions of peace? NOT! Jesus is peace, but the teachings of Jesus are rarely accurately understood by any of the ample differing religious "Christian" sects that exist in America. In America's warfare economy, in that about the only thing we export anymore is weapons and wars, and domestically having entire cities whose economy is literally dependent upon military bases, that horrific violence occurs should be of no surprise; we are militarily conquering three Middle Eastern nations people, so how can you be surprised violence may happen here in the homeland. Wake up!
truthdector said on November 6, 2009 at 8:58 AM
empyris is a Muslim pretending to care about America, but is at war with our civilization.
drd24 said on November 6, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I don't understand how a Muslim, conscientious objector could possibly be an officer on the military, much less a psychiatrist.
2lat4me said on November 6, 2009 at 11:28 AM
The actions during WWII were quite appropriate where the government took all of the Japanese and put them in internment camps until the war was over. So let's pack up all of these "Muslim Amercians" and lock them away until it's all over.
truthdector said on November 6, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Put 'em on a boat
alexandra said on November 6, 2009 at 1:13 PM
I think we citizens should sue the government for letting all these muslims into the country. We used to let in people who were politically oppressed or afraid for their lives. Instead the US is importing people to make us afraid for ours.
army_wife_101608 said on November 6, 2009 at 1:45 PM
I think it is terrible what has happened to the soldiers at Fort Hood. I also think that why on God's green earth are we still at war. They obviously don't want us there I was just talking to a muslim today and she stated we do not want your soldiers here. Their problems are not our business obviously our soldiers need to be home now to protect their families.. My husband is currently serving in Afghanistan and he tells me all the time how, " honey they don't want us here, they don't want our help." Our soldiers are told that everyday. How do you think that makes them feel? Who are fighting for a lost cause. There is no reason at all why our soldiers should be over there. Obama should try sticking to his word, bring our soldiers home so they can keep OUR country safe again. Thank you & I pray for the families of the soldiers from Fort Hood! Army Wife
btvsrcks said on November 6, 2009 at 2:06 PM
To the person who commented about how much worse things seem, that isn't the case. Crime is actually much lower than it used to be, but we just have a global communication system available to the layperson. TV. We hear about every bad thing. It reminds me of air travel. Most people aren't worried about crashes etc, but when I worked at Boeing I heard about every single one, scary to think how often they actually do happen. Different perspectives. I hope everyone gets through this horrible time in Texas. My thoughts are with them and their families.
truthdector said on November 6, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Obama says don't jump to conclusions on shooting, So, when some white supremist kills a black person, we shouldn't jump to conclusions? I reckon when I get the notion to kill a bunch of people, I will yell, "God is Great!" and will be considered a victim? The double standards have got to go!
empyrius said on November 6, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Amen to that army_wife_101608!
steverino said on November 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM
As terrible as this is, here we go again, blame religion or the government for some whackgo who is nuts and want to kill people. God bless the families involved. My prayers are with you. Army wife, I disagree with you. I have quite a few friends in Iraq and Afganistan and say the people who are there are glad we are there. God Bless your husband and I pray he comes home safely.
steverino said on November 6, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Take this individual out of the hospital, and fly him to Afganistan, at the US Govn't expense, and leave him there.
empyrius said on November 6, 2009 at 5:45 PM
y "undefined"
lovingasoldier said on November 6, 2009 at 11:53 PM
the cop is not the only one who left family and kids probably parents and friends behind . what about our soldiers ??? how many wifes , kids , friends and parents are out there who lost there son/husband or daughter/wife ?????? so many soldiers die with a age of 18 or 19 they not even drunk a beer yet and where is there honor ??? what about all those people???? are they having no value ????
lovingasoldier said on November 6, 2009 at 11:54 PM
the cop is not the only one who left family and kids probably parents and friends behind . what about our soldiers ??? how many wifes , kids , friends and parents are out there who lost there son/husband or daughter/wife ?????? so many soldiers die with a age of 18 or 19 they not even drunk a beer yet and where is there honor ??? what about all those people???? are they having no value ????
lovingasoldier said on November 6, 2009 at 11:55 PM
the cop is not the only one who left family and kids probably parents and friends behind . what about our soldiers ??? how many wifes , kids , friends and parents are out there who lost there son/husband or daughter/wife ?????? so many soldiers die with a age of 18 or 19 they not even drunk a beer yet and where is there honor ??? what about all those people???? are they having no value ????
lovingasoldier said on November 6, 2009 at 11:57 PM
the cop is not the only one who left family and kids probably parents and friends behind . what about our soldiers ??? how many wifes , kids , friends and parents are out there who lost there son/husband or daughter/wife ?????? so many soldiers die with a age of 18 or 19 they not even drunk a beer yet and where is there honor ??? what about all those people???? are they having no value ????