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Twelve shot dead at US army base | Twelve shot dead at US army base |
(10 minutes later) | |
Twelve people have been killed and 31 injured in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, the commander there has said. | Twelve people have been killed and 31 injured in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, the commander there has said. |
Lt Gen Bob Cone said one shooter had been killed in the incident and two suspects arrested. All were American soldiers. The base is locked down. | |
The motivation for the shooting is not known, he said. One of the dead was a policeman but the others were soldiers. | |
President Barack Obama described it as "a horrific outburst of violence". | |
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." | |
FORT HOOD Largest US base in the worldHome to about 40,000 personnelBuilt in 1942Focus for anti-war protestersIncludes two museums and a lake | |
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. | |
Fort Hood, near the town of Killeen, is the largest US base in the world. | 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 (97 km) from each city. | Home to about 40,000 US troops, the base lies between Austin and Waco, about 60 miles (97 km) from each city. |
Army spokesman Lt Col Nathan Banks at the Pentagon earlier told the Associated Press news agency the shootings had begun at about 1330 (1930 GMT) on Thursday at a personnel and medical processing centre at Fort Hood. | Army spokesman Lt Col Nathan Banks at the Pentagon earlier told the Associated Press news agency the shootings had begun at about 1330 (1930 GMT) on Thursday at a personnel and medical processing centre at Fort Hood. |
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. |
"In our office we're okay but we're hearing about the deaths. It's horrible and very shocking. | "In our office we're okay but we're hearing about the deaths. It's horrible and very shocking. |
"We are still on lockdown. I am hearing that at least nine people may be dead. This is so terrible and frightening." | "We are still on lockdown. I am hearing that at least nine people may be dead. This is so terrible and frightening." |
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. | |
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. | Local congressman John Carter, speaking to NBC News, said gunfire had erupted half an hour before a graduation ceremony was due to begin. |
Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson said in a statement: "I am shocked and saddened by today's outburst of violence at Fort Hood that has cost seven of our brave service members their lives and has gravely injured others. | Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson said in a statement: "I am shocked and saddened by today's outburst of violence at Fort Hood that has cost seven of our brave service members their lives and has gravely injured others. |
"My heart goes out to their loved ones." | "My heart goes out to their loved ones." |
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