Kris Alingod - AHN Contributor
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The shooter who killed 12 people and injured 31 others in Fort Hood late Thursday did not die from a gunshot wound during the rampage, and had acted alone, according to the Defense Department.
U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik is currently recovering in an undisclosed hospital near the Army post located in central Texas, in the company of a Criminal Investigative Division officer, Army Lt Gen. Robert Cone said in a press conference Thursday night. He was shot by a civilian police officer, and was reported as having died during the incident. All the victims except two were soldiers.
The shooting occurred at bout 1:30 pm CT at Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Processing Center, where troops were gathered for weekly medical and dental consultations. Malik, described as an Army psychiatrist due for deployment in reports, is believed to have used a handgun and a semiautomatic in his shooting spree.
Two soldiers suspected of being accomplices were detained but later released, a third soldier was also questioned. The civilian police officer who shot Malik survived his injuries and is receiving treatment.
The tragedy comes as debate rages about whether more American troops should be sent to fight the eight-year war in Afghanistan, where U.S. soldiers suffered their deadliest month in October.
The Army is still investigating, with the help of the FBI. Defense Sec. Robert Gates said in a statement, "There is little we can say at this point to alleviate the pain or answer the many questions this event raises, but I can pledge that the Department of Defense will do everything in its power to help the Fort Hood community get through these difficult times."
Fort Hood, the military's biggest largest base, is expected to resume normal operations after being locked down late Thursday.
Officials in the nation's capital similarly expressed condolences and support to victims, with lawmakers suspending their partisan debate in Congress to hold a moment of silence.
President Barack Obama called the shooting " a horrific outburst of violence" and asked Americans to "keep the men and women of Fort Hood in your thoughts and prayers."
"These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis," the President said during remarks for an unrelated event at the Interior Department. "It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas. It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."
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