The official blog of American Veteran Magazine, the national quarterly publication of AMVETS.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

BREAKING: Tragic Shooting at Fort Hood

This afternoon, reports came in from Ft. Hood that more than 40 soldiers had been shot in a brutal rampage on the U.S. Army's largest post. According to the Pentagon, twelve people were killed and 31 wounded.

Shortly before 5 p.m., Fort Hood Commanding General Army Lt. Gen. Bob Cone confirmed that the shooter was a soldier at the post who used a handgun to carry out the attacks. Shortly before 6 p.m., sources confirmed that the shooter was Army Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan, a military mental health doctor. Initially, the military reported that Hasan was killed, but late last night, Cone confirmed that he was alive and in custody.

Three other soldiers were apprehended in connection with the incident. Two of the three were cleared and released. One final person-of-interest remains in custody.

CNN reported that the shooting took place at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center where soldiers transit back and forth from the combat zone. Fort Hood was on lock-down while soldiers and local police from nearby Killeen, Texas, swept the post.

AMVETS National Executive Director Jim King says he was "shocked and saddened" by the report.

"An incident like this is just unheard of on a military post in our own country," said King. "As we continue to sort out the details, AMVETS' thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. Our troops should feel safe on American soil. Americans must now rally around our brave men and women who wear the uniform in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy."

Most of the soldiers who were killed in the rampage were set to deploy overseas. AMVETS leaders will honor these fallen heroes with a moment of silence at AMVETS National Headquarters tomorrow morning.

AMVETS and American Veteran will continue to follow this story.

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