The events at Fort Hood

For those of you that paid attention to the news today, there was something truly devestating, very close to home. I live less then 5 minutes away from the U.S.'s largest and safest armored military base. Well obviously, its not that safe if something like this took place. I want to point out that I strongly believe this was a terrorist attack, perpetrated by 3, yes count them, 3 US soldiers!
It was an eventuality that should have been planned for, but alas not everything can be thought out and planned for. At this very moment I do hope all the people I know on post here are alive and well. And ask that all my readers pray for the victims of this aweful attack.


"FORT HOOD (November 5, 2009)—Fort Hood remains on lockdown late Thursday afternoon after a shooting that apparently involved three soldiers that left 12 people dead and 31 more injured.
Fort Hood Commander Lt. Gen Bob Cone said at a news conference late Thursday afternoon that one shooter was killed and two suspects were apprehended on Thursday.

He said they are all U.S. soldiers.
ABC News indentified the shooter as Maj. Malik Hassan.
Cone said all the casualties occurred at about 1:30 a.m. at the base's Soldier Readiness Center in the post’s Sports Dome where soldiers who are about to be deployed or who are returning undergo medical screening.
He said the primary shooter used two handguns in the attack.
Witnesses, however, said more than one soldier opened fire.
Earlier reports indicated there were shootings in at least two separate locations, but Cone said all of the victims were in the processing center.
One of the dead is a civilian police officer, Fort Hood confirmed.
All available ambulances and paramedics in the area responded to the post.
Some of the wounded were taken to Darnall Army Medical Center and others were flown or taken by ambulance to Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
Scott & White confirmed it is operating under a mass casualty protocol.
Killeen elementary schools on post released students before the shooting, but children who were in after school programs on the campuses will be held at the schools until further notice from Fort Hood, the district said.
Middle schools on post are holding students until notice from Fort Hood.
Students who would normally be taken from off-post schools to Fort Hood are being held at schools, as well.
Central Texas College’s central campus is now on lockdown.
The school said a decision would be made about evening classes.
Updates will be posted on the school’s Web site.
Temple ISD reports schools are on a "soft" lock down in connection with the Fort Hood.
"Temple Police Department requested Temple ISD place all campuses and district buildings in a soft lockdown, due to a situation at Fort Hood, TISD spokesperson Regina Corley told News 10 by news release.
"We have been directed to follow our regular dismissal schedule," Corley said in a follow-up release.
Temple Police Sgt. Brad hunt told News 10 police units have been dispatched to all schools and Scott and White Hospital.
Hunt said parents should expect delays because of lockdown.
Fort Hood is also locked down and no one was being allowed on or off post.
An alert posted on the Fort Hood Web site says, "Effective immediately Fort Hood is closed."
The Web site said that units at the base have been ordered to account for all personnel.
The site says, "This is not a Drill. It is an Emergency Situation."
Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, said a graduation was underway on post at the time of the shooting.
President Barack Obama called a mass shooting at a Texas Army base a "horrific outburst of violence."
He said he doesn't yet know all the details but promised the government would get "answers to every single question."
The commander in chief says it's a tragedy to lose a soldier overseas and even more horrifying when they come under fire at an Army base on American soil.
Obama also said his thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and families of the fallen.
Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, issued a statement in which he said, “The soldiers and families of Fort Hood have served our nation with distinction and made tremendous sacrifices for all of us so I am heart-broken to learn that this terrible tragedy has occurred.
“My family’s thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and loved ones.”
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said she was shocked and saddened by the violence.
“Our dedicated military personnel have sacrificed so much in service to our country, and it sickens me that the men and women of Fort Hood have been subjected to this senseless, random violence. I know all Americans share this concern for the soldiers and their families who are affected by this tragedy,” she said."