Seven people have been reportedly killed and another 20 wounded at Fort Hood near Killeen, officials with the post said early Thursday afternoon.
Officials told NBC DFW that one gunman is in custody and a second was surrounded. KCEN is reporting that one policeman is down and that the surrounded gunman has a high-powered rifle and is shooting to kill.
A message on the Fort Hood Web site said, "The post is on lock down. This is not a drill. Please stay inside. It is an emergency situation."
Additionally, Temple Independent School District is on soft lockdown -- where the building is locked, but people are allowed in and out of the building. Killeen ISD reports all Fort Hood schools, as well as the post, are on lockdown.
KXXV-TV in Killeen is reported early on that all available EMS units near Killeen were being dispatched to Fort Hood.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Lee M. Packnett said he was unaware if security measures were put in place at other military bases.
“At this point I do not know,” Packnett said.
Fort Hood has seen other violence in recent years. In September 2008, a 21-year-old 1st Cavalry Division soldier shot his lieutenant to death and then killed himself. Spc. Jody Michael Wirawan of Eagle River, Alaska. shot himself to death after shooting 1st Lt. Robert Bartlett Fletcher, 24, of Jensen Beach, Fla. to death.
Fort Hood is the largest active duty armored post in the United States, and is the only post in the United States that is capable of supporting two full armored divisions. Fort Hood is a 340-square mile installation. The cantonment area of Fort Hood is adjacent to Killeen, the "Hill and Lake" country of the Great State of Texas. The post is home to about 5,000 active duty officers and 45,000 enlisted. Civilian employees total nearly 9,000, MSNBC.com reports.
* This post was
edited 11/05/09 03:46pm by AllisonAndrews *
This is such a tragedy. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. I have a problem with how someone who was argumentative, hostile, refusing to be deployed, and, that along with his "name" and religious and political belief could EVER be a Major in the U.S.Army and have authority over anyone. Being a Major, he could have resigned from service if he was unhappy. But he chose to make a political statement by killing and wounding innocent solders.
I was amazed today at the security on a major military base - We checked in today at Camp LeJeune Onslow Beach RV park. When we entered thru the main gate at the base (about noon), we were 'waved thru' and were never asked for our military ID cards. Yes, we have a DOD sticker, but we have always had to show our ID cards - both of us - and we have even had to undergo random 'search' in an under our vehicle when entering other military bases. But here, no - just keep the traffic moving and keep going as you wave to the MP. And this is security?
Scarrrrry world we live in.
SFC (Ret.) Kenny and Betty Jordan
Heine (Cocker Spaniel), Princess (Bichon Frise), and Oreo (Shih Tzu)
I just don't get things like this. If you feel a need to kill yourself, just do that and don't slaughter innocents.
Just read this in an AP story in our local paper online. Story was timed at 10:12 PM, EST
Quote: FORT HOOD, Texas — An Army psychiatrist set to be shipped overseas opened fire at the Fort Hood Army post Thursday, authorites said, a rampage that killed 12 people and left 31 wounded in the worst mass shooting ever at a military base in the United States.
The gunman, first said to have been killed, was wounded but alive and in stable condition under military guard, said Lt. Gen. Bob Cone at Fort Hood. “I would say his death is not imminent,” Cone said. Col. Ben Danner said the suspect was shot at least four times.
* This post was
edited 11/05/09 08:36pm by PRT *
Pat
May the road rise with you, the wind be always at your back.
The female civilian Police Officer that shot the gunman was originally reportedly killed, but it was just announced about 11PM EST that she survived and is in stable condition.
My daughter's friend was still on base at the time of the shooting. He heard the warning and headed to the safety of a friend's house on the other side of the base. They did a lot of Texting as she was at work. I would call her to pass on information.
Now we hear this morning, the shooter, a psychiatrist wasn't killed yesterday. Luckily, he wasn't the one treating DD's Friend for his PTSD.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3....our custom home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
Heard this morning that the death toll is now up to 13. I think 28 remain hospitalized.
I work at a university and we have a campus at Killeen. So many of our students down there have spouses or significant others on base. Right now we just wait for more information and keep our thoughts will all those affected by this tragedy, which includes the shooter's family as well.
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