Family of Fort Hood suspect deny terror links
Fort Hood 'shooter's' family deny links to Islamist radicalism
Thursday, 12, Nov 2009 12:58
The family of the Fort Hood shooting suspect Nidal Hasan has denied suggestions he may be linked to Islamist radicalism.
Hasan, who is suspected of being responsible for the shooting dead of 13 people, and wounding over 30 others, at the US's largest military base, was not linked to Islamist radicals, his family has said.
A close relative is reported as speaking to Sky News in the West Bank town of Ramallah on condition of anonymity.
When asked how Hasan was handling pressure at work, the relative said: "He was taking things very personally. When he talked about certain patients he was crying.
"He was complaining there was not enough time to treat his patients properly. He could not separate his emotions from his job.
"The authorities must investigate if the military failed to help him when he needed help."
On Tuesday the FBI said Hasan was not part of a "broader terrorist plot". They said he was noticed in December as part of an unrelated inquiry by the joint terrorism taskforce (JTTF).
However, he was not seen to raise concerns, with the FBI saying: "At this point, there is no information to indicate Major Malik Nidal Hasan had any co-conspirators or was part of a broader terrorist plot."
Sky News was told by Hasan's family member that he did not fit the profile of an Islamist recruit: "He was very loving. If you go back to high school he was the kindest kid.
"He tried to help everyone. And he hated the sight of blood. When he watched the delivery of a baby he fainted because of the blood.
"I sympathise with the victims," the relative added.