Home > Waco Breaking News > Archives > 2009 > November > 06 > Entry
Latest Fort Hood developments
SUSPECT MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO HOSPITAL — An Army medical official says the man suspected of opening fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood has been transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
Hospital spokeswoman Maria Gallegos says Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is in stable condition in the intensive care unit at the hospital on Fort Sam Houston outside San Antonio, about 150 miles southwest of Fort Hood.
Gallegos said Friday that the “shooter is here.” She would not provide more details.
Hasan is accused of opening fire at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood, Texas on Thursday in a shooting rampage that left 13 dead. He was shot by a civilian police officer on the scene.
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES — Officials at Fort Hood announced the following opportunities for the public to donate to various agencies on the installation honoring the soldiers and family members affected by the mass shooting:
Checks can be mailed to: Chaplain’s Fund Office, Bldg 44, 761st Tank Battalion Ave., Fort Hood, TX 76544-5000.
Checks should be made payable to “CTOF” (Chapel’s Tithes and Offerings Fund) with a note on the memo line stating “Nov. 5 Tragedy.”
Contributions on behalf of Fort Hood soldiers also can be made to: Fisher House, Bldg 36015, Fisher Lane, Fort Hood, TX Texas 76544
If you have questions about the Fisher House operation, phone 254-286-7927 or 254-286-7929.
Donations can be made to Red Cross: Killeen Red Cross, 208 W. Avenue A, Killeen, TX 76541
Phone (254) 200-4400 or visit its Web site at www.waco.redcross.org
Donations also can be made to the USO: USO Fort Hood, Building # 1871, 50th St., Fort Hood, TC 76544
Phone: (254) 768-2771 or visit its Web site at www.uso.org
SUSPECT TOOK PART IN HOMELAND SECURITY CONFERENCES — The suspected Fort Hood shooter has participated in homeland security conferences since 2008 at George Washington University while based in the Washington area.
Most recently, Army psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan was listed as an attendee in January for a conference on new security priorities for the Obama administration.
Frank Cilluffo, director of the university’s Homeland Security Policy Institute, says Hasan was never affiliated with the school. He attended sessions as a disaster and preventive psychiatry fellow at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine.
Cilluffo says he remembers Hasan wore Army fatigues to conferences, which seemed odd at the time. Cilluffo says he remembers cutting Hasan off once for rambling, though he doesn’t remember the subject.
PISTOL BOUGHT AT GUN STORE — Law enforcement officials say a 5.7-millimeter pistol used in the Fort Hood shooting rampage was purchased legally at a Texas gun store.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.
Records indicate Hasan bought the FN 5.7 at store called Guns Galore in Killeen well before the attack that left 13 people dead. The pistol has been dubbed a “cop killer” by those who have tried to stop its use.
The most powerful type of ammunition for the gun is available only to law enforcement and military personnel. Gun control advocates call it a “cop killer” weapon because that ammo can pierce bulletproof vests, and its use by Mexican drug cartels worries police.
CLASSMATE: HASAN OPPOSED WAR ON TERROR — A classmate of the Fort Hood shooting suspect says Maj. Nidal Hasan was an outspoken opponent of the U.S. war on terror and called it a “war against Islam.”
Dr. Val Finnell was a classmate of Hasan’s at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. Both attended a master’s in public health program in 2007 and 2008.
Finnell says he got to know Hasan in an environmental health class. At the end of the class, students gave presentations. Finnell says other classmates wrote on subjects such as dry cleaning chemicals and mold in homes, but Hasan’s topic was whether the war against terror was “a war against Islam.” Finnell described Hasan as a “vociferous opponent” of the terror war.
Finnell says Hasan told classmates he was “a Muslim first and an American second.”
CIVILIAN POLICE OFFICER PRAISED — A civilian police officer is being praised for taking down a man suspected of opening fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood when she shot him in the torso.
Police officials say after arriving at the scene of Thursday’s gunfire, Sgt. Kimberly Munley saw the suspect and started firing at him.
Munley’s boss, Chuck Medley, told the Associated Press on Friday that Hasan then spun around and charged at her with a gun in each hand.
Medley says Munley shot the alleged gunman, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, in the upper torso, allowing officers to take him into custody. Medley says in the exchange of gunfire, Munley was shot in the thighs and wrist.
The 35-year-old Munley is from Pennsylvania, used to be in the Army and is married to a Fort Bragg, N.C. soldier.
‘KICK IN THE GUT’ —Army Chief of Staff George Casey has asked Army leaders across the country to review force protection measures after the shooting rampage at Fort Hood left 13 people dead.
Casey described the shooting as a “kick in the gut” for not just Fort Hood but for the entire Army.
Casey spoke to reporters at a news conference Friday afternoon at Fort Hood. He says he’s encouraged by the stories of heroism and courage that have emerged the day after the attack.
He cited a young private who was sitting in his pickup in parking lot and heard gunfire. Casey says the private went to the scene, pulled out four wounded and drove the hospital.
CENTRAL TEXAN AMONG VICTIMS — A Cameron man was among the 13 fatalities from Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood, the Cameron Herald reports. Mike Cahill, who still lived in Cameron, worked as a physician’s assistant for Dr. Sid Richardson from 1997 until 2000. Further details are not available.
BUMPER STICKER INCIDENT — A Killeen apartment complex manager says the man accused of opening fire at Fort Hood recently had a religious bumper sticker torn off his car, The Associated Press reports.
The manager, John Thompson, says a fellow soldier allegedly keyed Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s car and ripped up the bumper sticker. Thompson says the soldier had been to Iraq and was upset to learn Hasan was Muslim.
Thompson, who manages the Killeen complex where Hasan lives, says the bumper sticker read: “Allah is Love.” In Arabic, Allah means God.
A report filed on Aug. 16 with Killeen police says Hasan’s car had been scratched causing $1,000 worth of damage. The report says an Army employee had been arrested. It didn’t provide more details about what happened.
HUTCHISON AT FORT HOOD — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who said she’s been in regular contact with officials at Ford Hood, arrived at the base before noon and spoke to reporters about what she’s been told about the ongoing Army investigation:
“I just talked a few minutes ago to the commander and i think they’re being very thorough trying to determine more about this man’s background: Who he was talking to? Is this something that’s just isolated — one deranged person — or is it something more? That’s the question on everyone’s mind.”
Hutchison got more specific, saying the Army is inspecting Hasan’s computer, to try and determine whether he had help as he prepared for the shooting.
While Hasan was the lone shooter Thursday, she said investigators were still trying to determine whether he prepared for the shooting in isolation.
“That is not a question that has been resolved,” Hutchison said. “I don’t think anyone would have ever suspected a psychiatrist, trained to help others in mental health, would be the one who would go off himself unless there’s more to it, and that’s what they’re looking at.”
Hutchison also said Hasan, who was also shot on Thursday, was not in danger of dying.
LIMITED INFO ON BASE — Spc. Eric Flint, 22, said that information about the shooting victims has been limited on the base, with no identities released or updates given about the wounded. He said he is gaining most of his information from media reports.
Flint said the base is attempting to get back on its feet, with some units already proceeding with normal business, to recuperate from Thursday’s shooting.
“I would say that it’s been sort of calm today on the base,” Flint said. “We’re just trying to get back to normal.”
Flint said he did not know whether officials were re-examining security measures at the base. He added that he is not concerned about safety at the post.
“The fact being what happened, and it being a soldier that did this, there’s not much that could have been done different,” Flint said. “It’s just a bad situation that couldn’t be helped.”
HOUSE RESOLUTION — The office of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards sent out this release about House Resolution 895:
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives brought to the floor House Resolution 895, a resolution honoring Fort Hood soldiers and their families in the wake of Thursday’s tragic shooting. Congressman Chet Edwards managed the House floor proceedings at the request of Congressman John Carter, who is the lead sponsor of the resolution and traveled to Ft. Hood today. Edwards, who is the lead cosponsor of the resolution, represented Fort Hood through three combat deployments from 1991 to 2004.
“In the days ahead, Ft. Hood will become known to the world as a place of unspeakable tragedy, but I know it as a place of great triumph—a place where service to country isn’t just an ideal, it is a way of life, a place where the American spirit is alive and well, even amidst this tragedy. I hope the world will see the Ft. Hood I saw as its representative in Congress for 14 years,” said Edwards.
Edwards is the Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and co-chairs the House Army Caucus. The following are his remarks as prepared for delivery on the floor of the House today:
“On behalf of citizens all across America, we rise today to express our deepest respect and heartfelt sorrow to the soldiers and families of Ft. Hood, Texas.
“These great Americans who have sacrificed so much in service to our country now face a tragedy that just one day ago would have seemed unimaginable. In the hours, days and months ahead, I hope the Ft. Hood family knows that the thoughts and prayers of the American family are with them.
“It is a tragedy beyond words that young Americans who were willing to risk their lives for our country in combat abroad ended up losing their lives here at home.
“While these soldiers did not die in combat, they gave their lives in service to country, and, for that, we will always consider them heroes.
“The spouses, children and families of the fallen may not have worn our nation’s uniform, but they have served our nation through their deep personal sacrifice. Let us be clear here today. We will never ever forget that sacrifice.
“We cannot bring back their loved ones, but I hope they will forever feel the collective love, gratitude and prayers of millions of their fellow Americans.
“To the wounded and their loved ones, our nation’s fervent hopes and prayers are with you in these difficult moments. Please know you are not alone.
“Mr. Speaker, in the days ahead, Ft. Hood will become known to the world as a place of unspeakable tragedy, but I know it as a place of great triumph—a place where service to country isn’t just an ideal, it is a way of life, a place where the American spirit is alive and well, even amidst this tragedy.
“I hope the world will see the Ft. Hood I saw as its representative in Congress for 14 years.
“When I think of Ft. Hood, I think of the 29-year-old Army widow who asked me, not to help her, but rather how she could help others who had lost their loved ones in combat.
“When I think of Ft. Hood, I think of the young soldier I met at a welcome home ceremony. It was three days before my wife gave birth to our first child, and when I saw him with his wife and newborn baby, I told him how excited I was at the thought of becoming a father for the first time. Without complaint, he looked at me and said, “Sir, I missed the birth of my first child because I was in Iraq, and I missed the birth of my second child when I was deployed to Bosnia.”
“When I think of Ft. Hood, I think of the parents I met there this summer who lost their two sons in combat in Iraq just 9 days apart. How can a nation measure the depth of that kind of sacrifice?
“When I think of Ft. Hood, I think of soldiers, families and their neighbors in nearby communities who care for each other and are proud to serve and, yes, sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.
“Ft. Hood is known as “The Great Place”, because that is what it is, past, present and future. The actions of one deranged gunman should not and will not change that fact.
“With the support and prayers of the American family, Ft. Hood will recover from this terrible tragedy.
“The servicemen and women of Ft. Hood, their families, and the neighboring communities are a very special and unique family.
“They make Ft. Hood what it is — a shining star in our nation’s defense, a star that will burn brightly for many years to come.
“From this tragedy, just days before Veterans Day, I pray that Americans will be reminded how blessed we are to live in a land where a special few, our servicemen and women and their families, are willing to give up so much in service to country. Let us all rededicate ourselves to honoring our troops, our veterans and their families. Let us remember them not just on Veterans Day and Memorial Day and on a tragic day, but every day.
“As we ask God’s blessings on those whose lives we honor, let us remember that we are the land of the free, because we are still the home of the brave.”
FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF — Gov. Rick Perry has ordered all Texas flags lowered to half-staff until Sunday over the Fort Hood massacre that claimed 13 lives.
President Barack Obama on Friday said the “whole nation is grieving right now” over the mass killings Thursday at the post, where 30 people were wounded.
The president ordered U.S. flags at the White House and other federal agencies to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day, Nov. 11, as a tribute to those who lost their lives.
The suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was shot by a police officer and remains hospitalized. The motive for the shootings is unclear.
Perry’s order applies to all U.S. and Texas flags under the control of the state.
GUEST BOOK — Legacy.com, a partner of more than 750 newspapers nationwide, including the Tribune-Herald, has a public guest book for people to share their thoughts and prayers about the Fort Hood tragedy.
Click here to go the guest book.
MOMENT OF SILENCE — The Chief of Staff of the Army has directed an Armywide moment of silence at 1:35 p.m. today. In remembrance of yesterday’s tragedy. Traffic barriers will be put up at Fort Hood, stopping traffic during this time.
SALVATION ARMY HELP — The Salvation Army will provide pastoral care and counseling to first responders, family members and children affected by the tragedy at the request of the State of Texas.
Waco Salvation Army officer Capt. Russell Czajkowski, a former U.S. Marine, will oversee the Salvation Army’s pastoral response efforts on site with direction from Maj. James Taylor, rhe Salvation Army’s divisional secretary for Texas.
The Salvation Army will provide spiritual care today and through the weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HOUSE RESOLUTION — U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards’ office announces that the U.S. House of Representatives will adopt House Resolution 895, a resolution honoring Fort Hood soldiers and their families in the wake of Thursday’s shooting.
According to the release:
At the request of Congressman John Carter, who is the lead sponsor of the resolution and has traveled to Fort Hood today, Congressman Chet Edwards will lead the House proceedings. Edwards represented Fort Hood through three combat deployments from 1991 to 2004.
House Resolution 895 is tentatively scheduled to come to House floor sometime after 11am EST/10 am CDT as the 12th suspension bill of the day.
The text of the resolution is below:
H.Res. 895 - Honoring the lives of the brave soldiers and civilians of the United States Army who died or were wounded in the tragic attack of November 5, 2009 at Fort Hood, Texas. The American people share the pain and grief of this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the families of those who were so unfortunately taken from them.
Excerpt from Edwards’ House floor remarks:
“In the days ahead, Fort Hood will become known to the world as a place of unspeakable tragedy, but I know it as a place of great triumph — a place where service to country isn’t just an ideal, it is a way of life, a place where the American spirit is alive and well, even amidst this tragedy.
“I hope the world will see the Fort Hood I saw as its representative in Congress for 14 years.”
SILENCE BEFORE FOOTBALL GAMES — Several school districts planned a moment of silence during tonight’s football games.
“We’ll have something as we always do,” said Tom Rogers, Killeen ISD athletic director. “We always have a moment of silence to think about our soldiers who are injured or in harm’s way. We will have something to remember those that were lost yesterday.”
Copperas Cove also planned a moment of silence.
A Waco ISD spokesman said the district normally does not have a moment of silence before games, but that it would have a moment of silence tonight.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Military
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
Post a comment
Before you comment, please take a few moments to make sure that what you're saying is civil and respectful. We don't tolerate personal attacks, insults, name-calling, impersonations or generally hateful comments — they don't make for a pleasant (or productive) conversation. We want to raise the level of debate and encourage a wide diversity of viewpoints — and that means disagreeing without being disagreeable. If you wouldn't say it to your grandmother, you probably shouldn't say it here.
Your comment will be removed from WacoTrib.com if it runs afoul of these guidelines or anything else in our site's visitor agreement.
*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.
Comments
By Charles Mongold
November 6, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
I think all sports playing this week, should have a moment of silence for all Military and their families at this time of grieving. God Bless the USA.
By Terrorist
November 6, 2009 7:34 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Hope our tax dollars are not paying for any pain killers for the murderer
By He is a Terrorist
November 6, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Sorry wrong name on first post :(
By He is a Terrorist
November 6, 2009 8:02 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse
Sorry wrong name on first post :(