2009 Fort Hood shooting
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (November 2009) |
| Fort Hood shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Fort Hood, Texas |
| Date | November 5, 2009 ca. 1:30 p.m. (CST) |
Attack type | Mass murder |
| Deaths | 12 (including gunman)[1][2] |
| Injured | 31[1][2] |
| Perpetrators | 3[2] |
The Fort Hood shooting occurred on November 5, 2009, at approximately 1:30 p.m. (CST) when 12 people were killed and up to 31 others wounded at the United States Army base of Fort Hood, located in Texas.[1] Early reports indicated that two or three shooters were involved.[2] The events took place in or near the Soldier Readiness Center[3] and the Howze Theater. A graduation ceremony was scheduled for 2 p.m. at the theater.[4]
Three US soldiers were involved in the shooting; two were apprehended and one was killed according to Lt Gen Cone the commanding officer. Lt Gen Cone also acknowledged one gunman at the time, and it was unknown if the two in custody actually shot.[1] The base was locked down, with military police and SWAT teams on the scene, and FBI agents called from Austin and Waco.[1] President Obama was informed of the incident, press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters.[2]
Background
Fort Hood, approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) from both Waco and Austin, houses around 40,000 troops and is the largest US military base in the world.[1]
Response
President Barack Obama described the incident as "a horrific outburst of violence" in a press conference in Washington, going on to say, "It is difficult enough when we lose these brave men and women abroad, but it is horrifying that they should come under fire at an army base on US soil." [2] Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson gave a statement saying "I am shocked and saddened by today's outburst of violence at Fort Hood that has cost seven of our brave service members their lives and has gravely injured others. My heart goes out to their loved ones."[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Twelve shot dead at US army base". BBC News. November 5, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f "12 people, including one suspect were killed in shootings at Fort Hood, Pentagon says". Fort Hood, Texas: CNN. November 5, 2009. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
- ^ "12 killed, 20 wounded in Fort Hood incident". New York Post. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
- ^ Gearan, Anne, "Army: At least 1 Hood shooter in custody", Military Times, November 5, 2009.
External links
