Solsticewitch13's BOS: [unitedstatesaction.com news] Texas: Media Reports on Attack at Fort Hood

Texas: Media Reports on Attack at Fort Hood - Worst Mass Killing on U.S. Military Base

November 6, 2009
http://www.unitedstatesaction.com/blog/imm-articles/146.html

In what is being reported by the media as the "worst mass killing on a U.S. military base," media reports indicate that the shooter, Nidal Malik Hasan, was opposed to the U.S. war in Afghanistan and was upset because he was to be deployed to Afghanistan. Hasan has been described as a "lifelong Muslim." Multiple reports state that Hasan shouted "Allahu Akbar" before opening fire on the individuals at the Fort Hood, Texas military base. Prior to the attack, Hasan reportedly dressed in 'Arabic clothing' over the past several weeks, and was reportedly handing out Qurans and giving away his furniture the morning before the attack. CCTV video shows Hasan in "traditional Muslim robes and a prayer cap" before the attack. CNN reports that Hasan appeared "cool, calm, religious" before the Fort Hood attack.

The Daily Telegraph reports: "'He was making outlandish comments condemning our foreign policy and claimed Muslims had the right to rise up and attack Americans," Col Lee told Fox News. 'He said Muslims should stand up and fight the aggressor and that we should not be in the war in the first place.' He said that Maj Hasan said he was 'happy' when a US soldier was killed in an attack on a military recruitment centre in Arkansas in June. An American convert to Islam was accused of the shootings. Col Lee alleged that other officers had told him that Maj Hasan had said 'maybe people should strap bombs on themselves and go to Time Square' in New York." It also reports that "Federal law enforcement officials have said Maj Hasan had come to their attention at least six months ago because of internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats."

The Associated Press reports: "At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades. They had not determined for certain whether Hasan is the author of the posting, and a formal investigation had not been opened before the shooting, said law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case." An Internet SCRIBD posting from a "Nidal Hasan" (unknown if this is the same Nidal Malik Hasan) shows a comment from a "NidalHasan" on suicide bombers: "You can call them crazy i you want but their act was not one of suicide that is despised by Islam. So the scholars main point is that 'IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOUR INTENTION IS THE MAIN ISSUE" and Allah (SWT) knows best.'"

The Associated Press also reports that "Federal law-enforcement agents ordered an evacuation of the apartment complex where Hasan lived in Killeen, Texas, Thursday night and conducted a search of his home, said Hilary Shine, director of public information for the city. She didn't say what was found during the search." "Officials said earlier that federal search warrants were being drawn up to authorize the seizure of his computer."

The New York Times reports that "General Cone said that terrorism was not being ruled out, but that preliminary evidence did not suggest that the rampage had been an act of terrorism," and MSNBC reported that DHS Secretary Napolitano believed that it was "too soon to tell" on the shooter's motivation. The Christian Science Monitor suggests a motive in the Fort Hood attack by asking if "Are Army psychiatrists overwhelmed?" The UK Guardian also focuses on combat stress issues.

Counterterrorism analyst Walid Phares described that Fort Hood attack "is for now the largest single Terror act in America since 9/11." Phares stated that "what the world has seen and is eager to learn about cannot be described just as 'horrific outburst of violence' performed on American military, rather is part of an ideological war, generated by radicalization, and inciting individuals to perform such acts."

Hasan's parents reportedly immigrated from the Palestinian territories to Jordan, and then to the United States. Reportedly born in Arlington, Virginia (a few miles from Washington DC), Hasan described his nationality as "Palestinian." His parents lived in Roanoke, Virginia, about three hours away from Washington DC. Prior to his stationing in Fort Hood, Texas, Hasan worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the DC/Maryland area, and regularly attended the Muslim Community Center mosque in Silver Spring, Maryland (a few miles from Washington DC), when he lived in the Maryland/DC area. (According to the July 2008 testimony of Steven Emerson before Congress, the Silver Spring, Maryland Muslim Community Center mosque has been used to host a fundraising effort where a speaker "made several radical comments implying that the use of violence is sanctioned by Islam to glorify Allah" (page 12).)

National Public Radio (NPR) has reported that "A source tells NPR's Joseph Shapiro that Hasan was put on probation early in his postgraduate work at the Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. He was disciplined for proselytizing about his Muslim faith with patients and colleagues, according to the source, who worked with him at the time."

WJZ news reports that Nidal Hasan was a "39-year-old Army major [who] received his medical degree from the military's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001." Research shows that a presidential transition task force on homeland security matters included a Nidal Hasan also from the Uniformed Services University of Health Services (page 29 - electronic page 32.)

(Additional Updates When Significant New Developments)

Media Report Excerpts:

-- Associated Press reports: "There are many unknowns about Nidal Malik Hasan, the man authorities say is responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base. Most of all, his motive. But details of his life and mindset, emerging from official sources and personal acquaintances, are troubling."
-- "Federal law-enforcement agents ordered an evacuation of the apartment complex where Hasan lived in Killeen, Texas, Thursday night and conducted a search of his home, said Hilary Shine, director of public information for the city. She didn't say what was found during the search.
-- "Officials said earlier that federal search warrants were being drawn up to authorize the seizure of his computer."
-- "Retired Army Col. Terry Lee, who said he worked with Hasan, told Fox News that Hasan had hoped President Barack Obama would pull troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq. Lee said Hasan got into frequent arguments with others in the military who supported the wars, and had tried hard to prevent his pending deployment."
-- "Hasan attended prayers regularly when he lived outside Washington, often in his Army uniform, said Faizul Khan, a former imam at a mosque Hasan attended in Silver Spring, Md. He said Hasan was a lifelong Muslim."

-- Associated Press reports: "Ft. Hood suspect reportedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar'"
--- "Soldiers who witnessed the shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted 'Allahu Akbar!' before opening fire, the base commander said Friday. Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said officials had not yet confirmed that the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, made the comment, which is Arabic for 'God is great!' before the rampage Thursday, which left 30 people wounded, including the gunman."
--- "Cone said Hasan was not known to be a threat or risk. He acknowledged that it was 'counterintuitive' that a single shooter could kill and injure so many people. But he said the massacre occurred in 'close quarters.'"
-- Associated WFAA report
-- Associated USA Today report

-- New York Times reports: "In an interview on NBC's 'Today' show, Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, a base spokesman, was asked about reports that Major Hasan had yelled 'Allahu Akbar' -- an Arabic expression for 'God is great' -- during the shooting. General Cone said soldiers at the scene had reported 'similar' accounts."
-- "General Cone said that terrorism was not being ruled out, but that preliminary evidence did not suggest that the rampage had been an act of terrorism."

-- KSL reports: "The news of the mass shooting at Fort Hood Thursday hit close to home for some Utahns. One man says his daughter heard the shooter exclaim 'Allah Akbar' as he opened fire."

-- Kileen Daily Herald reports: "Shooting suspect on ventilator, wounded in stable condition, police officer identified" -- "Hasan had been given orders for to deploy to Afghanistan."
-- "An early morning press conference at Fort Hood has answered some questions with regard to the mass shooting yesterday that claimed the life of 13 people and wounded 30 others."
-- "Dr. W. Roy Smythe spoke at a press conference this morning, saying that two or three of those wounded in yesterday's tragedy may require further surgery but most injuries were dealt with yesterday. Smythe said they treated patients with gunshot wounds to the head, neck, chest, stomach and extremities. Some victims, he said, had multiple gunshot wounds."
-- "Smythe said one patient told him he was shocked when a man, 'jumped on a desk and started shooting.'"

-- CNN reports: "Suspect Nidal Malik Hasan in stable condition after Fort Hood killings"

-- CNN reports: "Fort Hood suspect seemed 'cool, calm, religious'"

-- Daily Telegraph reports: "Fort Hood shooting: Nidal Malik Hasan 'said Muslims should rise up'" -- "'He was making outlandish comments condemning our foreign policy and claimed Muslims had the right to rise up and attack Americans," Col Lee told Fox News. 'He said Muslims should stand up and fight the aggressor and that we should not be in the war in the first place.' He said that Maj Hasan said he was 'happy' when a US soldier was killed in an attack on a military recruitment centre in Arkansas in June. An American convert to Islam was accused of the shootings. Col Lee alleged that other officers had told him that Maj Hasan had said 'maybe people should strap bombs on themselves and go to Time Square' in New York."
-- "Federal law enforcement officials have said Maj Hasan had come to their attention at least six months ago because of internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats."

-- Kileen Daily Herald reports: "In the morning, neighbors said Hasan handed Qurans and donated his furniture to anyone who would take it. Neighbors described Hasan as a quiet man who began wearing 'Arabic clothing' in recent weeks. Edward Windsor, a neighbor, never suspected Hasan was in the Army."

-- Daily Telegraph reports: "Fort Hood shooting: CCTV shows Hasan before killings
US army officer Major Nidal Malik Hasan was captured on CCTV in the hours before the killing, wearing what appear to be traditional Muslim robes and a prayer cap"
--- image from CCTV cameras

-- " Major Nidal Malik Hasan (L) on the morning of November 5, 2009 in Fort Hood, Texas Photo: GETTY "

-- National Public Radio reports: "A source tells NPR's Joseph Shapiro that Hasan was put on probation early in his postgraduate work at the Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. He was disciplined for proselytizing about his Muslim faith with patients and colleagues, according to the source, who worked with him at the time."

-- Daily Telegraph reports: "A Muslim by birth, Hasan was born in Virginia, and his family is believed to have come from Jordan."

-- Associated Press reports: "Imam says Fort Hood suspect didn't seem radical -- A Maryland imam at the mosque attended by the suspected Fort Hood, Texas, shooter says the Army psychiatrist never seemed to be an extremist. Imam Faizul Khan says he knew Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan for more than 10 years. They first met at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring. On a form filled out by those seeking spouses through a program at the mosque, Kahn says Hasan listed his birthplace as Arlington, Va., but his nationality as Palestinian. Khan says he doesn't know why because Hasan was born in the United States."

-- Washington Post: "Suspect in Fort Hood shootings attended mosque in Silver Spring"

-- Washington Post reports: "He prayed every day at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, Md., a devout Muslim who, despite asking to be discharged from the U.S. Army, according to his aunt, was on the eve of his first deployment to war."

-- New York Times reports: "Suspect Was to Be Sent to Afghanistan" - "Investigators began piecing together on Friday how and why an Army psychiatrist facing deployment to Afghanistan gunned down dozens of people a day earlier at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, in one of the worst mass shootings ever on an American military base."

-- BBC reports: "US gunman 'faced Afghan posting'" - "A US major believed to have killed 13 people in a gun attack at a Texas army base was due to be deployed soon to Afghanistan, a military official said."

-- Associated Press reports: "At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades."
-- "They had not determined for certain whether Hasan is the author of the posting, and a formal investigation had not been opened before the shooting, said law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case."

-- New York Times reports: Hasan's parents were Jordanian, and "immigrated from a small town near Jerusalem many years ago... [with Roanoke Times stating that Hasan's mother] was born in Palestine in 1952"

-- Internet SCRIBD posting from a "Nidal Hasan" (unknown if this is the same Nidal Malik Hasan) states: "NidalHasan scribbled: There was a grenade thrown amongs a group of American soldiers. One of the soldiers, feeling that it was to late for everyone to flee jumped on the grave with the intention of saving his comrades. Indeed he saved them. He inentionally took his life (suicide) for a noble cause i.e. saving the lives of his soldier. To say that this soldier committed suicide is inappropriate. Its more appropriate to say he is a brave hero that sacrificed his life for a more noble cause. Scholars have paralled this to suicide bombers whose intention, by sacrificing their lives, is to help save Muslims by killing enemy soldiers. If one suicide bomber can kill 100 enemy soldiers because they were caught off guard that would be considered a strategic victory. Their intention is not to die because of some despair. The same can be said for the Kamikazees in Japan. They died (via crashing their planes into ships) to kill the enemies for the homeland. You can call them crazy i you want but their act was not one of suicide that is despised by Islam. So the scholars main point is that "IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOUR INTENTION IS THE MAIN ISSUE" and Allah (SWT) knows best."

-- Fort Hood: The largest "Terror act" in America since 9/11 - by Walid Phares
---- Walid Phares: Fort Hood attack "is for now the largest single Terror act in America since 9/11"
---- Walid Phares: "In that case, what the world has seen and is eager to learn about cannot be described just as 'horrific outburst of violence' performed on American military, rather is part of an ideological war, generated by radicalization, and inciting individuals to perform such acts."

-- MSNBC video reports: DHS Secretary "Napolitano: 'Too soon to tell' on shooter's motivation"

-- Daily Telegraph: "Fort Hood shooting: police woman hailed for bravery"

-- Research shows that a "Nidal Hasan - Uniformed Services University School of Medicine" (see PDF, page 29) was a participant among a Task Force in support of a George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) established the Presidential Transition Task Force for on "Thinking Anew-Security Priorities for the Next Administration"

-- WJZ/AP reports that "For six years before reporting for duty at Fort Hood in July, Hasan worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center pursuing a career in psychiatry, as an intern, a resident and, last year, a fellow in disaster and preventive psychiatry. The 39-year-old Army major received his medical degree from the military's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001."