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US major held after base shooting US gunman 'set for Afghan tour'
(about 1 hour later)
A US major is under guard at a Texas military base as officials investigate what prompted a shooting attack that left 13 people dead. A US major believed to have killed 13 people in a gun attack at a Texas army base was due to be deployed soon to Afghanistan, a military official said.
Authorities named Major Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, as the man who opened fire on soldiers at Fort Hood on Thursday. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, a US-born Muslim, opened fire on soldiers at Fort Hood on Thursday.
It is not clear what motivated him, but reports said the US-born Muslim psychiatrist was unhappy about being sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. Relatives of the army psychiatrist said he had strongly opposed his deployment and had wanted to leave the army.
Early on Friday police raided his apartment to search for clues. US officials said investigations into what prompted the attack had continued through the night.
Base commander Lt Gen Bob Cone said that one of the dead was a policeman and the others were soldiers. Thirty other people were injured in the attack. At an early morning news conference at Fort Hood, military officials said 12 soldiers and one civilian had been killed.
MAJOR NIDAL MALIK HASAN US-born Muslim raised in VirginiaJoined the army and trained to be a psychiatristTreated soldiers returning from combat zonesDescribed as a devout Muslim who attended prayers regularlySaid to have been unhappy about imminent overseas deployment Profile: Major Nidal Malik Hasan
Of the 28 people who remained in hospital, 14 had required surgery but all were in a stable condition, Col Dr Steven Braverman said.
There was no comment on what might have triggered the attack.
"We're not going to speculate about motives. We'll let investigators find that out," deputy base commander Col John Rossi said.
Maj Hasan was shot four times during the attack and is currently on a ventilator in hospital, under armed guard.
The policewoman who shot him first is in a stable condition in hospital, officials said.
President Barack Obama described it as "a horrific outburst of violence".President Barack Obama described it as "a horrific outburst of violence".
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."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 president 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."
'Could have been worse''Could have been worse'
The shooting began at about 1330 (1930 GMT) on Thursday at a personnel and medical centre at Fort Hood.The shooting began at about 1330 (1930 GMT) on Thursday at a personnel and medical centre at Fort Hood.
MAJOR NIDAL MALIK HASAN US-born Muslim raised in VirginiaJoined the army and trained to be a psychiatristTreated soldiers returning from combat zonesDescribed as a devout Muslim who attended prayers regularlySaid to have been unhappy about imminent overseas deployment Profile: Major Nidal Malik Hasan
Initial reports said that the gunman - armed with two handguns, one of them a semi-automatic - had been killed. However officials later said that the suspect was in custody.Initial reports said that the gunman - armed with two handguns, one of them a semi-automatic - had been killed. However officials later said that the suspect was in custody.
SHOOTINGS AT FORT HOOD US MILITARY BASE Shooting starts 1330 local time (1930 GMT) at Soldier Readiness Processing Center near Howze Theater where graduation ceremony is due to take placeThirteen people are killed and 30 injuredSoldiers close off Howze Theater to protect about 600 people insideGunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan is shot and detainedBuilt in 1942, Fort Hood is the largest US base in the world, home to about 40,000 personnel and includes two museums and a lake. It has been a focus for anti-war protesters Timeline: Fort Hood shootings Reaction: US base shootings In pictures: Fort Hood shootings
Lt Gen Cone said a graduation ceremony for a group of soldiers was taking place close to where the shooting began.Lt Gen Cone said a graduation ceremony for a group of soldiers was taking place close to where the shooting began.
"Thanks to the quick reaction of several soldiers, they were able to close off the doors to that auditorium where there were some 600 people inside," he said."Thanks to the quick reaction of several soldiers, they were able to close off the doors to that auditorium where there were some 600 people inside," he said.
"As horrible as this was, I think it could have been much worse.""As horrible as this was, I think it could have been much worse."
Maj Hasan is said to be in a stable condition after being shot several times. Lt Gen Cone said his death was "not imminent". 'Harassment'
A picture is beginning to emerge of the suspect, a psychiatrist who was transferred to the Texas base in July.A picture is beginning to emerge of the suspect, a psychiatrist who was transferred to the Texas base in July.
Reports suggested that he had been increasingly unhappy in the military and that his work at his previous post - Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC - had been the subject of concern.Reports suggested that he had been increasingly unhappy in the military and that his work at his previous post - Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC - had been the subject of concern.
SHOOTINGS AT FORT HOOD US MILITARY BASE Shooting starts 1330 local time (1930 GMT) at Soldier Readiness Processing Center near Howze Theater where graduation ceremony is due to take placeThirteen people are killed and 30 injuredSoldiers close off Howze Theater to protect about 600 people insideGunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan is shot and detainedBuilt in 1942, Fort Hood is the largest US base in the world, home to about 40,000 personnel and includes two museums and a lake. It has been a focus for anti-war protesters Reaction: US base shootings In pictures: Fort Hood shootings
His cousin told US media that Maj Hasan had been opposed to an imminent deployment overseas, describing it as his "worst nightmare".His cousin told US media that Maj Hasan had been opposed to an imminent deployment overseas, describing it as his "worst nightmare".
He also said that Maj Hasan had been battling racial harassment because of his "Middle Eastern ethnicity".He also said that Maj Hasan had been battling racial harassment because of his "Middle Eastern ethnicity".
The New York Times said the FBI had been investigating internet postings by a man called Nidal Hasan that appeared to back suicide bombings - but said it was not clear whether it was the suspect.The New York Times said the FBI had been investigating internet postings by a man called Nidal Hasan that appeared to back suicide bombings - but said it was not clear whether it was the suspect.
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."
'Not ready'
The attack triggered shock and grief in Fort Hood, the largest US base in the world which is home to about 40,000 troops.The attack triggered shock and grief in Fort Hood, the largest US base in the world which is home to about 40,000 troops.
Soldiers used their clothes to treat the injured and a local hospital called for blood donors as wounded people were brought in.Soldiers used their clothes to treat the injured and a local hospital called for blood donors as wounded people were brought in.
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/index.shtml">More from BBC World Service "I was confused and just shocked," said Specialist Jerry Richard, 27, who works on the base. "Overseas you are ready for it. But here you can't even defend yourself."
"I was confused and just shocked," said Specialist Jerry Richard, 27, who works on the base.
"Overseas you are ready for it. But here you can't even defend yourself."
Another Fort Hood soldier told the BBC that the incident could put pressure on Muslim American soldiers.Another Fort Hood soldier told the BBC that the incident could put pressure on Muslim American soldiers.
"They've taken it hard, due to the fact that it kind of puts a negative light on them and makes people distrust them because everybody is going to look at them [and think]: 'Well, you're probably going to pull something like this'," the soldier said."They've taken it hard, due to the fact that it kind of puts a negative light on them and makes people distrust them because everybody is going to look at them [and think]: 'Well, you're probably going to pull something like this'," the soldier said.
"And it's a sad fact that that will happen.""And it's a sad fact that that will happen."
Texas Governor Rick Perry ordered all flags in the state to fly at half-mast as a tribute to the victims.Texas Governor Rick Perry ordered all flags in the state to fly at half-mast as a tribute to the victims.
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