Texas army base shootings: Thirteen dead
13 people killed after military psychiatrist opens fire at Fort Hood army base in Texas
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Friday, 06, Nov 2009 09:30
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
America is mourning the deaths of 13 people at an army base in Texas after a military psychiatrist went on the rampage shooting fellow soldiers.
Thirty people were wounded at Fort Hood, the largest army base on American soil, in an incident Barack Obama said was "tragic" and a "horrific outburst of violence".
Base spokesman Lieutenant General Bob Cone said all of the victims apart from one, a civilian policeman, were soldiers.
The suspected gunman has already been named as Major Malik Nadal Hasan. He reportedly opened fire in the base's soldier readiness area, where medical tests are performed before soldiers are deployed overseas, with two handguns before being shot by base police.
He is currently in custody in hospital receiving treatment for non life-threatening gunshot wounds.
In a televised address, President Obama said: "These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk, and at times give, their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis.
"It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas. It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an army base on American soil."
Fort Hood can house up to 40,000 soldiers. In the aftermath of Thursday's shootings, which began at 13:30 local time (19:30 GMT), the entire base was in lockdown.