Hasan charged with 13 murder counts Posted On: Friday, Nov. 13 2009 05:15 AM By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald

FORT HOOD – Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was charged with 13 specifications of premeditated murder Thursday.

Those are initial charges; others might be added subject to the ongoing investigations, said Chris Grey, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division spokesman.

The referral of charges is the first step in the military court system, he added; they are merely an accusation. Hasan is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Hasan is under pre-trial restriction while receiving medical care, Grey said.

Grey addressed speculation surrounding the investigation, saying Hasan was not at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center for any scheduled appointments or command-directed activity.

Investigators are looking at every possible angle in the case, Grey said, but confirmed that Hasan was shot by two Fort Hood police officers – one male and one female – last week and said officials still believe there was only one gunman at the scene "involved in the actual shootings on Nov. 5."

"I would caution anyone from drawing final conclusions concerning the actual engagement in terms of who did what until all the evidence is fully analyzed," Grey said.

The investigation remains open under a joint task force that includes the CID, FBI and Texas Rangers.

The task force is working with numerous agencies, including first responders from the Killeen Police Department, Temple Police Department, Harker Heights Police Department and Coryell County Sheriff's Office, to get a complete picture of the entire event that unfolded last week; officials are seamlessly sharing information, Grey said.

"We are doing everything possible and looking at every reason for this shooting," Grey said. "We are aggressively following every possible lead."

He asked that everyone be patient and "understand the magnitude and complexity of the crime scene." The crime scene encompasses a large area that includes offices, cubicles and open areas in the Soldier Readiness Processing Center, four buildings adjacent to the center, two large parking areas and the entire surrounding area.

Investigators are meticulously reconstructing the scene and analyzing all evidence, including looking for bullets in hundreds of vehicles parked in the vicinity of the crime scene.

"We have no estimated time of when the crime scene will be released," Grey said.

The investigation is further slowed because some witnesses are still seeking medical attention and officials have not interviewed them. One victim is still in a local intensive care unit and 11 others wounded are in wards, said Col. (promotable) John Rossi, Fort Hood deputy commander for fires. All are in stable condition.

While the investigation continues, Army officials are concentrating on the transfer of the 13 victims' remains to their families, Rossi said. Casualty assistance officers are helping those families make arrangements following the deaths of their loved ones.

Activities at Fort Hood are getting back to normal, but Rossi stressed officials are doing so "with the utmost respect for our families."

"As you would never want to minimize the enormity of their sacrifices," he added.

Units and departments, including Soldier Readiness Processing, will responsibly and respectfully resume normal mission and training activities, Rossi said; safety remains at the forefront.

Behavioral health professionals continue to provide care at Fort Hood in response to the shooting and more than 100 have augmented the post's usual staff. Those include critical incident management teams, unit ministry teams and Family and Military Life Consultants who have made contact with about 3,000 people, Rossi said.

All of those wounded and others at the center Nov. 5 have received critical incident stress debriefs.

"Our goal is to ensure all who require or desire help get it," Rossi said. "We are guarding against any premature determination that all is OK."

This is not just a push from medical officials at Fort Hood. Unit commanders and leaders are actively engaged in the process, Rossi said.

The colonel also thanked Central Texas communities for their "enormous and genuine support."

"This outpouring of support that we see now following this incident did not start when the sirens started blaring last week," Rossi said. "For us here at Fort Hood, this is what we are used to and we know that it will continue."

The post has received about $165,000 in donations from across the nation to support the people and organizations affected by the shooting.

"Gen. (George) Casey (Jr.) called this event a kick in the gut, which is so appropriate," Rossi said. "But I will tell you at this time, Fort Hood has gotten its breath back and we continue to move forward."

Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.