WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | AP sources: Ft. Hood suspect remains in coma; Hasan a William Fleming grad

AP sources: Ft. Hood suspect remains in coma; Hasan a William Fleming grad

UPDATED: 1:55 p.m.

Nidal Malik Hasan graduated from William Fleming High School in 1988.  He attended the high school for one year, his senior year. 

UPDATED: 1:32 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Authorities say Fort Hood shooting Nidal Malik Hasan remains in a coma but is expected to live.

A federal law enforcement official said investigators have not been able to talk to Hasan since the deadly rampage that left 13 people dead and injured 30 others at the sprawling Army post in Texas on Thursday.

The initial investigation shows that Hasan allegedly used only one gun during the attack -- a 5.7-caliber semiautomatic pistol.

Army officials said Hasan also was carrying another handgun. But the law enforcement official said there's nothing so far to indicate the second weapon was fired.

An Army spokeswoman says Hasan had been scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan to counsel soldiers suffering from combat stress.

Army spokeswoman Col. Cathy Abbott says Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an active-duty military psychiatrist, was to deploy with an Army Reserve unit that provides what the military calls "behavioral health" counseling.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Hasan sought the assignment or was being sent against his wishes.

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Updated: 10:40 a.m

WASHINGTON (AP) -- There are many unknowns about Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the man authorities say is responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base.

Gunfire yesterday at Fort Hood left 13 dead and 30 wounded. Hasan, who was shot by a police officer, remains hospitalized.

Here's more about Hasan:

-- Hasan reported to Fort Hood in July. He previously worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center pursuing his career in psychiatry.

He received his medical degree from the military's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001.  Hasan graduated with honors from Virginia Tech in 1995.  He also attended Virginia Western Community College before enrolling at VT.

-- At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats. Some postings equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.

The Associated Press reports officials have not determined for certain whether Hasan is the author of the posting.

-- Hasan's aunt, Noel Hasan of Falls Church, Va., told The Washington Post that he had been harassed about being a Muslim after the 2001 terror attacks and he wanted out of the Army.

She said he had sought a discharge from the military for several years, and even offered to repay the cost of his medical training.

A military official told AP Hasan was in the preparation stage of deployment, and Hasan had indicated he didn't want to go to Iraq but was willing to serve in Afghanistan.

-- A neighbor of Hasan's, Patricia Villa (VEE'-uh), today described how on Wednesday morning Hasan offered her some of his items, saying he was going to be deployed. He provided her some frozen broccoli, some spinach, T-shirts, shelves and a new Quran.  Villa said Hasan returned yesterday morning -- giving her his air mattress bed, several briefcases and a desk lamp. He then offered her $60 to clean his apartment.  Villa said Hasan "seemed like a real nice person."

-- Col. Kimberly Kesling, deputy commander of clinical services at Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, said Hasan had provided excellent care to his patients.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Updated 10:00 a.m.

A Virginia Tech spokesman says Nidal Malik Hasan attended the university from 1992 to 1995 and graduated with honors with a biochemistry degree.  Hasan also attended Virginia Western Community College prior to his studies at Virginia Tech. 

It was reported earlier that Hasan was a member of the Virginia Tech ROTC, but VT authorities say he was NOT a member of the Corp of Cadets or any other ROTC program on campus.

News Release from Virginia Tech:

Nidal Malik Hasan's connection with Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 6, 2009 - Virginia Tech has confirmed with the United States Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Va., that the alleged shooter at Fort Hood, Texas, once attended Virginia Tech.

According to Virginia Tech records, Nidal Malik Hasan first enrolled at Virginia Tech for Summer Session II in 1992, and completed coursework in Spring Semester 1995. He received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in biochemistry from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He minored in biology and chemistry.

Prior to enrolling at Virginia Tech, Hasan was a student and completed coursework at Barstow Community College in Barstow, Calif., and at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Va.

Hasan was not a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, nor was he a member of any ROTC program at Virginia Tech.

Updated 8:00 a.m.

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- A senior U.S. official in Washington isn't ruling out the possibility that the alleged Fort Hood shooter had ties to radical groups, but isn't saying whether there's evidence to back it up.

Officials now say a 13th person has died in yesterday's rampage in Texas and 30 were wounded. Authorities at first thought one of the dead was the shooter, accounting for a delay in identifying him.

As military officials try to piece together what may have pushed Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan to turn on his comrades, the wounded suspect is on a ventilator, unconscious and under guard in a hospital.

Law enforcement officials say Hasan came to their attention at least six months ago, because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats. It's not yet certain he authored the posts.

Officials are also not ruling out the possibility that some of the casualties may have been victims of "friendly fire."

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A shooting rampage at Ft. Hood in Texas has connections to our area.  Military police believe Major Nidal Malik Hasan acted alone when he allegedly opened fire on people in the Soldier Readiness Center on the army base near Austin, Texas.  Twelve people are dead and 31 injured, some critically.

Hasan lived in Vinton several years ago and graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in biochemistry.  He was a member of ROTC at Virginia Tech.  He went on to get a medical degree and was serving as a military psychiatrist.  Hasan's parents used to own the Community Grocery Store on Elm Avenue in Roanoke.  Both of his parents are now deceased.

(See associated story:  Hassan family has connections to Roanoke Valley )

It was first reported that Hasan died in the shooting when a female civilian police officer shot him during the attack.  At a news conference Thursday night Lt. General Bob Cone said both Hasan and the police officer actually survived and are hospitalized in stable condition.  Two other soldiers were held for questioning but later released.  Cone says the shooter acted alone.

Cone says witnesses report that the shooter had two hand guns, one a semi-automatic weapon. 

The Soldier Readiness Center on base is the last stop before being deployed.  Final medical evaluations are often conducted in the center.  Hasan was getting ready to be deloyed.

Fort Hood has set up a family hotline for information.  The number is 1-254-288-7570 or 1-866-836-2751.

UPDATED 10:40 p.m.

A base commander at Ft. Hood says the alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, has survived the surgery after being shot by a civilian police officer.  Lt. General Bob Cone says the police officer also survived.  Authorities believe Major Hasan opened fire at  the Soldier Readiness Center on base killing 12 people and injuring 31. 

Hasan has connections to our area.  His parents owned the Community Grocery Store on Elm Ave. in Roanoke, and he lived in Vinton several years ago.  He graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in biochemistry.  He was a member of ROTC. 

See associated story:  Hassan family has connections to Roanoke Valley 

UPDATED 8:17 p.m.

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.

UPDATED: 6:30 p.m.

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.

According to the Washington Post, Hasan was registered to vote in Virginia in 2001 and 2004 with an address in Vinton.

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.

UPDATED: 6:05 p.m.

The Associated Press is reporting that Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan was an army mental health professional. 

UPDATED 6:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A law enforcement official says a shooting suspect at Fort Hood has been identified as Army Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan.

The official said Hasan, believed to be in his late 30s, was killed after opening fire at the base. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss thecase publicly.

The official says investigators are trying to determine if Hasan was his birth name, or if he changed his name and converted to the Islamic faith at some point in his life.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP 11-05-09 1745EST

UPDATED 5:37 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- AP source: Fort Hood shooting suspect is Maj.

Malik Nadal Hasan.

UPDATED 5:07 p.m.

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- The U.S. Army says 12 people have been

killed and 31 wounded in a shooting rampage on the Fort Hood Army base in Texas.

Lt. Gen Bob Cone said at a news conference that one shooter has been killed and two suspects were apprehended on Thursday. He says they are all U.S. soldiers.

The shooting began around 1:30 p.m. Cone says that all the casualties took place at the base's Soldier Readiness Center where soldiers who are about to be deployed or who are returning undergo medical screening.

He says the primary shooter used two handguns in the attack.

President Obama calls shootings at Ford Hood a "horrific outburst of violence."

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UPDATED 4:56 p.m.

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- US Army: 12 people dead, one shooter killed, two others

apprehended in shooting at Fort Hood; all are US soldiers.

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UPDATED 4:50 p.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Army official says 9 dead at Fort Hood, Texas.

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UPDATED 4:28 p.m.

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- A Fort Hood spokeswoman says one shooter

is in custody after a mass shooting on the Texas Army base.

Fort Hood spokeswoman Sgt. Rebekah Lampan says authorities believe at least two gunmen were involved in the attack on Thursday.

She says it is not known whether the shooters were soldiers or civilians.

Lt. Col. Nathan Banks, an Army spokesman in Washington, says there was a pair of shootings at the base.

Banks says the first shooting was at 1:30 p.m. and at personnel and medical processing office. He says the second incident took place at a theater on the base.

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UPDATED 4:13 p.m.

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- Fort Hood spokeswoman: One shooter is in custody, at least 2 gunmen believed involved in attack.

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FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- The Army confirms 7 people are dead, and 20 people wounded in shootings at Fort Hood, Texas.

The U.S. Army has closed its massive Army base at Fort Hood, Texas, amid reports that several people have been shot and killed at the post.

The Web site of the base in central Texas has posted an alert that says, "Effective immediately Fort Hood is closed."

The Web site said that units at the base have been ordered to account for all personnel.

The site says, "This is not a Drill. It is an Emergency Situation."

Fort Hood is located halfway between Austin and Waco.