The Visor

Mass shooting in Fort Hood, Texas turns into national debacle

November 6, 2009

Joe Easton

A massacre of shootings in the military base of Fort Hood, Texas has aroused national interest and large-scale sympathy. On the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 5, an enrolled Army soldier unleashed a brutal attack that resulted in 13 deaths and over 30 injuries. According to Lieutenant General Robert Cone, the prime suspect of the shooting is Major Nidal Malik Hasan – the military base’s pychiatrist who was initially reported as killed by the security defenses within the military base.

President Barack Obama and other national political icons have offered their condolences for those affected by the tragedy.

“It is horrifying that they would come under fire at a military base, but our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families,” Obama told USA Today on the evening of the attack.

Former president George W. Bush and Secretary of the Defense Robert Gates have also shared in the sympathy for the victims and those close to them.

The attack happened early in the afternoon of Nov. 5. Sirens blared throughout the military base and surrounding communities, warning residents to seek shelter and close all doors and windows. Lt. Gen. Cone made an executive decision to close the entire base of Fort Hood – the nation’s largest armored duty post. Sergeants took several soldiers into custody, and Ford Hood was reopened soon after Hasan was found in stable condition. Many of the victims are in stable condition after absorbing several shots from the attacker, and Hasan himself was critically injured by the security guards. Hasan has not yet been sentenced or convicted.

Fortunately, the mindsets of many Americans remain confident in the nation’s armed forces.

“The attack doesn’t really lead me to question the Army,” senior Jon Duckworth said. “The men and women that protect our country should not have to worry about things like this happening on our own soil. This guy [Major Hasan] obviously had an issue with the armed forces – if you don’t want to serve, get out of the Army.”

However, the damage has been done, and the Fort Hood massacre has already been designated as the bloodiest mass shooting at an American military base in the history of the United States.

Lt. Gen. Cone can only describe the tragic events of Fort Hood in one word: “Stunning.”

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