The question, obviously, is whether it was a terrorist attack, or just a disgruntled soldier who snapped. The gunman who murdered at least eleven people has been identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a psychiatrist who has been working at Walter Reed and was scheduled to be deployed to Iraq.
There have been reports that two other men were taken into custody, but they now have apparently been released. It’s also being reported that a third man has been picked up for questioning. This seems odd, if Hasan was a lone gunman. If others were involved it presumably could suggest a terrorist attack. At present, though, there is no strong evidence of others’ participation.
UPDATE: It’s now being reported that Hasan, a Muslim, posted favorable comments about suicide bombers on a web site. All of this is just one step above rumor, for now, however.
FURTHER UPDATE: A Lt. General giving a press conference says that, contrary to earlier reports, Major Hasan is alive. He also confirms that three other people have been taken into custody and interviewed, but says that indications are that Hasan was a “single shooter.”
MORE: The Associated Press reports that Hasan was investigated six months ago because of internet postings that praised Islamic suicide bombers:
One of the Web postings that authorities reviewed is a blog that equates suicide bombers with a soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades.
“To say that this soldier committed suicide is inappropriate. Its (sic) more appropriate to say he is a brave hero that sacrificed his life for a more noble cause,” said the Internet posting. “Scholars have paralled (sic) this to suicide bombers whose intention, by sacrificing their lives, is to help save Muslims by killing enemy soldiers.”
Again, this information is preliminary at best, especially since there are indications that two doctors, the shooter and someone completely unrelated, share the same name. More will be known before long.
Atlas Shrugs notes that the attacker “came to the attention of law enforcement at least six months ago because of Internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats”
They knew this guy was a jihadi. They knew. But they sacrificed American lives at the alter political correctness. These religion of peaceniks are going to get us all killed.
Law enforcement officials say Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan came to their attention at least six months agon because of discussions of suicide bombings and other threats. And they left this jihad murderer there with our most precious resource? And then the first thing the FBI says is “its not terrorism”? We, the people, cannot no longer rely onlaw enforcement to keep us safe.They are the problem. Those brave soldiers are dead because of law enforcement. We, the people, have to be vigilant. The biggest terror attack on a US military base and the President is giving a shout out before making a statement?
AP source: Authorities had concerns about suspected shooter, reviewed Internet postings
WASHINGTON - Federal law enforcement officials say the suspected Fort Hood, Texas, shooter had come to their attention at least six months ago because of Internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats.
The officials say the postings appeared to have been made by Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who was killed during the shooting incident that left least 11 others dead and 31 wounded. The officials say they are still trying to confirm that he was the author. They say an official investigation was not opened.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.
One of the Web postings that authorities reviewed is a blog that equates suicide bombers with a soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Military officials say the suspected shooter at Fort Hood was a psychiatrist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six years before being transferred to the Texas base in July.
The officials had access to Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s military record. They said he received a poor performance evaluation while at Walter Reed.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because military records are confidential.
The Virginia-born soldier was single with no children. He was 39 years old.
He is a graduate of Virginia Tech University, where he was a member of the ROTC and earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 1997. He received his medical degree from the military’s Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001. At Walter Reed, he did his internship, residency and a fellowship.
Malik Nadal Hasan, the jihadi that led the attack on Fort Hood, was quoted as saying “Muslims have the right to rise up against theUS military ” …”The Muslims have a right to stand up against the aggressors” “….maybe we should have more of these where people strap bombs on themselves and go into Times Square”–quotes from Colonel Terry Lee
Update: Neighbors say he was giving away his possessions this morning and PASSING OUT QURANS. Newscaster: “he was proud of his religion”.
The son of a bitch is alive — can you believe it? He is in the hospital receiving the best medical care that your taxpayer dollars can buy………….. he is in stable condition. I am sure the libturd media will be lining up to get his sob story. CAIR must have lined up their Saudi financed legal team.
“Six months ago Major Hasan came to law enforcement attention for posting blogs supporting suicide bombing.”
This puts him in the pious Muslim category.
The investigation was dropped.
“Hasan, the alleged shooter, was a psychiatrist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six years before being sent to Texas in July. He was apparently upset about being scheduled to deploy overseas, according to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson of Texas, who told Fox News that she was told he may have been targeting specific individuals.” (over at NPR) hat tip jj
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. NPR
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