Shooter transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center; community rallies to support victims
Posted On: Saturday, Nov. 7 2009 05:40 AM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily HeraldMaj. Nidal Malik Hasan was transported to Brooke Army Medical Center about 3 p.m. Friday afternoon.
The man suspected of killing 12 soldiers, one civilian and injuring 38 more when he opened fire at Fort Hood was intubated and has not spoken with investigators, said Col. (promotable) John Rossi, Fort Hood deputy commander of fires.
Officials announced Thursday afternoon that Hasan was shot and killed, but corrected themselves that evening. They have been questioned about the initial report, and Rossi said Friday night that investigators had 100 percent control of the suspect after he was apprehended. He attributed the mistake to an "internal lack of communication."
Two more patients were released Friday night and half of those left hospitalized are in ICU care, Rossi said. Earlier reports stated that 13 were killed and 30 were hospitalized. The colonel said Friday night that eight were treated and released soon after the incident.
The 13 bodies of those killed in the shooting were honored Friday during a "ramp ceremony" at Robert Gray Army Airfield. During the ceremony, the flag-draped coffins were loaded onto a C-17 plane bound for Dover, Del.
About 300 troops participated in the ceremony and among those was a soldier wounded in the shooting who insisted upon seeing his friends' remains depart, Rossi said.
Also present for the ceremony were Gen. George Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, and Defense Secretary John McHugh.
Casey the Army will put full resources behind Fort Hood in the recovery process.
"This was a kick in the gut," Casey said of the shootings.
When asked by a reporter what he would say to Hasan if given the chance, Casey replied: "Not even going to go there. Not even going to go there."
Rossi later discussed a few details of the shooting, of which officials have released little so far. He said that the two handguns Hasan used were his personal weapons and were purchased locally, though he didn't know when. The handguns were not registered at Fort Hood as is required with soldiers who wish to own firearms.
Rossi said that the suspect fired more than 100 rounds, but wouldn't confirm whether Hasan stopped to reload the weapons.
There are no indications that Thursday's shooting was a friendly-fire incident, Rossi went on to say when prodded by reporters. Investigators determined that by examining the positions of the deceased, the shooter's movements and where the first responders came upon the scene, Rossi said.
About 300 soldiers and more than 100 civilians were at and around the Soldier Readiness Processing site during the shooting, and witness statements are still being collected.
Casey said he asked leaders across the Army to come together in the next 24 hours and examine force protection measures at their installations.
Officials set up a grieving center at Fort Hood's Resiliency Campus, and are asking unit leaders to identify soldiers who need or ask for help, Rossi said.
More than 200 behavioral health specialists were available on post following Thursday's shooting. Those providers came from the 85th Combat Stress Control Medical Detachment, 1st Medical Brigade and Brooke Army Medical Center, said Col. Steven Braverman, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center commander. Officials provided that surge to reach out to anybody who needs it, he added.
Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at
astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.
A look ahead
For a story about one of the units affected by Thursday's shootings – the 36th Engineer Brigade – and a few of its hero soldiers, read Sunday's Herald.
Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, III Corps and Fort Hood commander, are scheduled to give a press conference 11 a.m. today at Scott & White hospital in Temple. For more on what was discussed, read Sunday's Herald.