Locals Look for Answers in Ft. Hood Shootings

Just outside of Ft. Hood Texas crowds have been gathering all evening to show their support and sympathy regarding the tragic events of the day. Many are standing in stunned silence trying to determine fact from fiction as rumors and wide spread news spread about the Ft. Hood shootings that have so far left 12 dead and 30 more injured.

Lt. General Bob Cone said at a news conference on Thursday evening that the shootings began at around 1:30pm around the Soldier Readiness Center. The shooter was identified by Lt. General Cone as 39 year old Army Major Nidal Malik Hassan. Rumors earlier in the day indicated that Hassan had been shot and killed in the attack but it has now been learned by those who have gathered outside the law enforcement barricades that Hassan is in custody at a local hospital and is in stable condition.

Reactions to the massacre that took place earlier in the day have been strongly supportive of military personnel who work and live close to the Ft. Hood base. Amanda Shaw who has lived in Killeen for the past 3 years is broken hearted for those families who are learning this evening of their loved ones death. "My heart goes out to their families, the children, and all of the soldiers who were hurt and killed" said Shaw. Many are sharing these same sentiments and they are repeatedly heard throughout Killeen and the Ft. Hood area.

One major source of discussion among those gathering to watch what is going on is the mental history of the shooter. It is believed that the shooter was preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan in the near future. Hassan was a highly ranked Medical Personnel member. Reports have surfaced from many of the locals that Hassan was a Muslim who spoke out quite frequently about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At least one of Hassan's family members spoke with one of the major news outlets concerning his approaching deployment and this has been a popular discussion among onlookers. One onlooker who is wishing to remain anonymous questions whether someone of the Muslim faith should be forced to serve in a war against his own people. Other discussion centered on the days events question the motives of Hassan and wonder if the attack had been planned.

The Soldier Readiness Center on the base at Ft. Hood is the place where soldiers preparing for deployment are prepared by naming next of kin and preparing a will. Soldiers returning from their war time duties use the Soldier Readiness Center as a place to be debriefed and counseled about how to handle coming home. It is believed though not confirmed that at least some of those who were shot earlier in the day had either been in the Soldier Readiness Center for debriefings, or were preparing for deployment.

There will without a doubt be more questions than answers in the next several hours and days, but one thing that is known for sure is that those who live close to the Ft. Hood area will rally to show their support for all of the families involved in todays tragic shootings.