At least twelve killed in shooting at Fort Hood, Tex.

"AT LEAST 12 KILLED IN SHOOTING AT FORT HOOD, TEX.; U.S. SOLDIER AMONG THE GUNMEN"

By William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 5, 2009; 5:15 PM

At least one U.S. soldier in uniform opened fire on troops at Fort Hood, Tex., Thursday, killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 31 others, officials said.

Officials said two other soldiers suspected of being involved in the shooting were in custody. The shooting occurred at a processing center and nearby theater where soldiers were preparing to deploy to the wars in Iran and Afghanistan, officials said.

Lt. Gen. Bob Cone, the commanding general of Fort Hood, said one gunman was shot at the processing center and that two others suspected of involvement were apprehended later.

President Obama called the incident "a horrific outburst of violence."

"These are men and women who made the selfless and courageous decision" to risk their lives in the service of the nation, Obama said. "It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."


Sgt. Maj. Jamie Posten, a base spokesman, earlier said that two gunmen opened fire at the post's Soldier Readiness Processing Center. Authorities said shots were also fired at the Howze Theater near the readiness center.

"At this time, Fort Hood is locked down to in-and-out traffic."

Inside the processing center, soldiers were preparing for deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Cone said he did not yet have information of which units were inside at 1:30 p.m., when the shooting took place.

Located near Killeen, Tex., Fort Hood is the U.S. military's largest installation and the only Army post in the United States that houses two divisions. It is also the home of III Corps headquarters.

About 65,000 soldiers and family members live on the post.

Obama was informed of the shooting shortly after it occurred, a White House spokesman said.

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