Fort Hood shooting: Texas army killer linked to September 11 terrorists
Hasan, the sole suspect in the massacre of 13 fellow US soldiers in Texas, attended the controversial Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Great Falls, Virginia, in 2001 at the same time as two of the September 11 terrorists, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt. His mother’s funeral was held there in May that year.
The preacher at the time was Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Yemeni scholar who was banned from addressing a meeting in London by video link in August because he is accused of supporting attacks on British troops and backing terrorist organisations.
Hasan’s eyes “lit up” when he mentioned his deep respect for al-Awlaki’s teachings, according to a fellow Muslim officer at the Fort Hood base in Texas, the scene of Thursday’s horrific shooting spree.
As investigators look at Hasan’s motives and mindset, his attendance at the mosque could be an important piece of the jigsaw. Al-Awlaki moved to Dar al-Hijrah as imam in January, 2001, from the west coast, and three months later the September 11 hijackers Nawaf al-Hamzi and Hani Hanjour began attending his services. A third hijacker attended his services in California.
Hasan was praying at Dar al-Hijrah at about the same time, and the FBI will now want to investigate whether he met the two terrorists.
Charles Allen, a former under-secretary for intelligence at the Department of Homeland Security, has described al-Awlaki, who now lives in Yemen, as an “al-Qaeda supporter, and former spiritual leader to three of the September 11 hijackers… who targets US Muslims with radical online lectures encouraging terrorist attacks from his new home in Yemen”.
Last night Hasan remained in a coma under guard at a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas, and was said to be in a “stable” condition. Born in America to a Palestinian family, Hasan, 39, was an army psychiatrist who had chosen to sign up for the US military against his parents’ wishes.
Lieutenant General Robert W. Cone of Fort Hood just confirmed that at 1:30 PM Central time today one shooter, armed with two handguns, entered the Soldier Readiness Facility on Fort Hood and started shooting during a graduation ceremony. There are twelve confirmed dead and 31 wounded. All victims are soldiers, except for one who is a civilian police officer.
“We have a terrible, tragic situation here,” said General Cone. “Soldiers, family members and the civilians that work here are absolutely devastated.”
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The shooter has been confirmed as a soldier. He was killed by local police.
U.S. officials confirmed that the shooter is 40-year old Major Malik Nadal Hasan, a Muslim. Hasan, a mental health professional, was very agitated by his recent orders to deploy to Iraq.
Major Malik Nadal Hasan
Eyewitnesses report that upon entering the facility, Hasan began shooting his victims “execution style” with great precision.
Police have also taken two other soldiers into custody for questioning.
Fort Hood Locked down until authorities have given the all clear.
The FBI has ruled out terrorism.
Lieutenant General Cone is the Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood at the massive Central Texas Army post located near Killeen, TX. The General assumed command of III Corps and Fort Hood from Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch on September 22, 2009.
Lieutenant General Robert W. Cone
All wounded have been taken to Scott and White Hospital. The hospital is requesting that people donate blood.
Update 1…
Hasan was born and raised in Virginia.
Hasan was transferred in July 2009 from Walter Reed Hospital to Fort Hood. He had received a poor evaluation for his work as a psychiatrist at Walter Reed, where he had worked for six years.
Colleagues report that Hasan had frequently complained about the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and had even suggested that Muslims should “fight against the aggressor.”
Hasan’s cousin reports that Hasan wanted out of the military and was very upset that he was going to be deployed to Iraq. Furthermore, Hasan had reportedly been harassed because of his middle eastern heritage.
Update 2…
The two soldiers that had been taken into custody for questioning have been released.
Texas Congressman John Carter reports that another person has been taken into custody for question.
Some eyewitnesses report that there was some fire from an automatic weapon.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was told that Hasan targeted people that he knew.
Update 3…
Lockdown lifted at Fort Hood.
Fox reports that authorities were concerned as recently as six months ago about Hasan because he had posted on a blog that suicide bombers were equal to soldiers who dove on grenades.
Update 4…
Fort Hood shooter is not dead but wounded and in stable condition.
Single shooter is responsible for all fatalities. He opened fire on a medical waiting area and the readiness facility using a semi-automatic weapon.
Although Fort Hood is no longer on lockdown, it will increase security in the coming days.
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