Fort Hood Shootings: Kimberly Munley, Hero that Stopped Gunman Nidal Malik Hasan

Out of the confusion that was the aftermath of the Fort Hood mass shootings Thursday afternoon, Kimberly Munley emerged a hero. Wounded herself in the attack by gunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan, she placed four rounds in the Army psychiatrist and took him down, stopping the attack that claimed the lives thus far of 13 soldiers. According to the New York Daily News, Kimberly Munley, a civilian police officer, and her partner responded to a report of gunshots at Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Center. According to Lt. General Robert Cone, her action was "an amazing and aggressive performance" that not only stopped Nidal Malik Hasan but possibly saved the lives of untold others.

Police Sgt. Kimberly Munley had been directing traffic when she responded to the call of shots fired. Within three minutes, she and her partner were inside Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Center, looking for the gunman. Lt. General Cone stated that Kimberly Munley came across Nidal Malik Hasan as he turned a corner and confronted him. Only a few feet apart, they exchanged gunfire. Although wounded, she shot Hasan four times.

As Hasan lay there motionless, most thought he was dead. It was found out later that that was not the case. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan remains in stable condition and under tight military guard, having survived being hit by Munley's four rounds.

Police Sgt. Kimberly Munley was reported in stable condition as well. She spent Thursday evening making calls to friends and family to assure them she was relatively fine.

What is known is that at 1:30 p.m., Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a mental health specialist in combat stress, using two handguns, began firing into a group of soldiers at Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Center, which is used for processing deploying and returning troops. He paused only to reload. Hasan killed twelve soldiers during the shooting before Kimberly Munley, who was trained in ended his rampage. A thirteenth soldier died Friday from wounds received during the shooting.

"She walked up and basically engaged him," Cone told "Good Morning America" Friday. "I think, certainly, this could've been far worse."

Nidal Malik Hasan was scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan soon. Witnesses said that he had become increasingly vocal about being troubled over having to battle Muslims. He was a known vocal opponent to the American military presence in both Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it si as yet unknown what circumstances led to the American born Hasan's decision to open fire on his own countrymen.

But Lt. General Cone maintained that evidence did not support that the attack was a terrorist attack. However, the Fort Hood incident was the worst mass shooting on an American military base in history.

Kimberly Munley's heroic actions mirror those of Jeanne Assam, the New Life Church security volunteer that stopped a rampaging gunman intent on killing others in Colorado Springs in 2007. Assam, a former Minneapolis police officer, confronted Matthew Murray, a disillusioned and troubled 24-year-old, after he had killed four people (two at another location earlier in the day). Assam shot Murray several times, although it was later determined that Murray's own gun ended his life.

With regard to the Fort Hood shootings, it is still unclear as to Major Nidal Malik Hasan's motives. Two other soldiers have been arrested in the incident as well. The FBI is assisting Fort Hood investigators as they attempt to piece together evidence and testimony.

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Sources:

NYDailyNews.com
Reuters.com
"Good Morning America," ABC Television