Obama calls for calm after Fort Hood
Barack Obama is calling for calm after the Ft Hood massacre on Thursday
Saturday, 07, Nov 2009 03:14
By Alistair Potter.
Barack Obama has urged the American public not to make assumptions about the motives and identity of the shooter that killed 13 people at a military base in Texas.
Fears are growing that there will be a backlash against the Muslim population in the United States after allegations that Major Malik Nadal Hasan, an army psychologist with eight years experience, opened fire with two handguns at Fort Hood - the largest US military base in the world.
Hasan, who is in a critical condition in hospital, is reported to have shouted "Allahu Akbar!" before the attack.
But Mr Obama has called for calm, saying: "We don't know all the answers yet."
In an address to the American people, he added: "I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts."
The president also made mention of the "families, friends and an entire nation grieving right now for the valiant men and women who came under attack".
As a mark of respect for the victims of the shooting all flags at the White House and on other federal buildings will be flown at half-mast until Veterans Day (November 11th).