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Deadly shootings at US army base Deadly shootings at US army base
(about 1 hour later)
A US army major has opened fire on fellow soldiers at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, with death toll now standing at 12, with 30 injured. A US army major has opened fire on fellow soldiers at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, killing 12 people and injuring 31, officials say.
Base commander Lt Gen Bob Cone has now said that the gunman was not killed, as earlier stated, but is in custody. Base commander Lt Gen Bob Cone said that the gunman had not been killed, as earlier stated, but was in custody.
Two other suspects were questioned, but the army now says only one gunman was involved in the incident.Two other suspects were questioned, but the army now says only one gunman was involved in the incident.
Lt Gen Cone said the motive for the shooting was not known. One of the dead was a policeman, others were soldiers.Lt Gen Cone said the motive for the shooting was not known. One of the dead was a policeman, others were soldiers.
President Barack Obama described it as "a horrific outburst of violence".President Barack Obama described it as "a horrific outburst of violence".
US officials identified the gunman as Major Nidal Malik HasanUS officials identified the gunman as Major Nidal Malik Hasan
Eleven victims were initially reported dead, but one of the injured died, bringing the death toll to 12. Speaking at a press conference in Washington, he said: "It is difficult enough when we lose these brave men and women abroad, but it is horrifying that they should come under fire at an army base on US soil."
The gunman has been named Major Nidal Malik Hasan. He is now said to be wounded after being shot a number of times, but in a stable condition in custody.
"His death is not imminent," said Lt Gen Cone.
Maj Hasan was reportedly a military psychiatrist in his late 30s or early 40s and due to be sent on a mission to Iraq.
FORT HOOD Largest US base in the worldHome to about 40,000 personnelBuilt in 1942Focus for anti-war protestersIncludes two museums and a lake Reaction: US base shootings In pictures: Fort Hood shootings
Speaking at a press conference in Washington, President Obama said: "It is difficult enough when we lose these brave men and women abroad, but it is horrifying that they should come under fire at an army base on US soil."
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, adding: "We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident."He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, adding: "We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident."
Mr Obama said the White House was working with the Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security to make sure Fort Hood was secure. 'Racial harassment'
Fort Hood, near the town of Killeen, is the largest US base in the world. Eleven victims were initially reported dead, but one of the injured died, bringing the death toll to 12.
Home to about 40,000 US troops, the base lies between Austin and Waco, about 60 miles (100 km) from each city.
Lt Gen Cone said the shooting had begun at about 1330 (1930 GMT) at a personnel and medical centre at Fort Hood, where soldiers who are preparing to deploy go for last-minute medical check-ups.
Barack Obama: 'A horrific outburst of violence'Barack Obama: 'A horrific outburst of violence'
The gunman had two weapons, one semi-automatic, which "might explained the rate of fire," Lt Gen Cone said. The gunman has been named as Major Nidal Malik Hasan. He is now said to be wounded after being shot a number of times, but in a stable condition in custody.
"His death is not imminent," said Lt Gen Cone.
Maj Hasan, aged 39, was a military psychiatrist and was reportedly due to be sent on a mission to Iraq.
His cousin said Maj Hasan - a US-born Muslim - had been resisting such a deployment.
"He hired a military attorney to try to have the issue resolved, pay back the government, to get out of the military. He was at the end of trying everything," Nader Hasan told Fox News.
He also said that Nidal Malik Hasan had been battling racial harassment because of his "Middle Eastern ethnicity".
Prior to Fort Hood, Maj Hasan served as a psychiatrist at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, which treats wounded troops from combat zones.
Witness' account
The shooting had begun at about 1330 (1930 GMT) on Thursday at a personnel and medical centre at Fort Hood, where soldiers who are preparing to deploy go for last-minute medical check-ups, Lt Gen Cone said.
FORT HOOD Largest US base in the world Home to about 40,000 personnel Built in 1942 Focus for anti-war protesters Includes two museums and a lake Reaction: US base shootings In pictures: Fort Hood shootings
He said the gunman had two weapons, one semi-automatic, which "might explain the rate of fire".
Asked whether the shootings were a terrorist act, Lt Gen Cone said: "I couldn't rule that out but I'm telling you that right now, the evidence does not suggest that."
Two more suspects were apprehended in an adjacent facility, he said, but eyewitness accounts suggesting there might have been more than one gunman were later discounted.Two more suspects were apprehended in an adjacent facility, he said, but eyewitness accounts suggesting there might have been more than one gunman were later discounted.
A serviceman stationed at Fort Hood who asked to remain anonymous told the BBC: "I heard the emergency announcement over the speakers outside and saw people rushing to get indoors."A serviceman stationed at Fort Hood who asked to remain anonymous told the BBC: "I heard the emergency announcement over the speakers outside and saw people rushing to get indoors."
Local congressman John Carter, speaking to NBC News, said gunfire had erupted half an hour before a graduation ceremony was due to begin.
'Like a city'
Fort Hood, near the town of Killeen, is the largest US base in the world.
Home to about 40,000 US troops, the base lies between Austin and Waco, about 60 miles (100 km) from each city.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says units at Fort Hood are among those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some will have returned from there.The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says units at Fort Hood are among those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some will have returned from there.
The base has a centre that deals with combat stress, our correspondent adds.The base has a centre that deals with combat stress, our correspondent adds.
Hilary Shine, of the Killeen Fire Department told the BBC's News Channel Fort Hood was like a small city.Hilary Shine, of the Killeen Fire Department told the BBC's News Channel Fort Hood was like a small city.
"It has schools, a hospital, a convenience store even. And it has a large daytime population - including civilians working on the base - with as many as 80,000 in this area during the daytime.""It has schools, a hospital, a convenience store even. And it has a large daytime population - including civilians working on the base - with as many as 80,000 in this area during the daytime."
Local congressman John Carter, speaking to NBC News, said gunfire had erupted half an hour before a graduation ceremony was due to begin.
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