Muslim Army officer identified as shooter in Fort Hood massacre (with photo of shooter)

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It has been confirmed by U.S. army officials that Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan, 39, went on a shooting spree today, at the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood, T X. It has also been confirmed that 12 people were killed and at least 32 injured during the rampage. The gunman was also killed, as was a civilian police officer.

Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone told ABC News that Maj. Hasan used two handguns in the shooting. He said: "The gunman opened fire and essentially due to the quick response of the police forces was killed.”

Confirming speculation that more than one shooter was involved, Gen. Cone said that there were "eyewitness accounts of more than one shooter.”

Two other soldiers were taken into custody and being questioned at this time.

Fort Hood is the home of the 1st Calvary Division, which was preparing for a deployment to Iraq.

The only other information available on Hasan is that he is from Virginia, and converted to Islam some time ago.

This shooting is reminiscent of another attack carried out in Kuwait, by a U.S. Army soldier who had converted to Islam.

In 2003, Sgt. Hasan Akbar tossed several grenades into the tent of two officers (Army captain Christopher Scott Seifert of Easton, Pennsylvania and Air Force Major Gregory Stone of Boise, Idaho), killing them and injuring 14 other soldiers who were catching up on some much needed rest.

Akbar, who was born Tony Kooks, converted to Islam after joining the Army, and while the mainstream press avoided the term, after questioning him, it was learned that it was a clear case of Muslim terrorism.

Akbar was eventually sentenced to death for the attack and is still awaiting his date with the executioner.

 

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