Posted on 11/05/2009 3:37:59 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2009 – President Barack Obama condemned the fatal shooting rampage today on Fort Hood, Texas, that left 12 soldiers dead and another 31 wounded, and promised full-scale support to get to the bottom of what happened and help the Fort Hood community recover from the tragedy.
More than one gunmen – two being held as suspects and another believed to be among those killed -- fired shots at about 1:30 p.m. Central Time at the post’s Soldier Readiness Processing Center and Howze Theater, Fort Hood officials confirmed.
The incident reportedly occurred as soldiers were conducting their final preparations for deployment.
“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.
“It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas,” he said. “It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.”
Obama said he is in close coordination with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen in monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the White House is working with the Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security to ensure Fort Hood is secure.
Obama said his thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and families of the fallen, and the Fort Hood community.
“We will continue to support the community with the full resources of the federal government,” he said. “We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident.”
Obama said he has no greater honor than serving as commander and chief, but also recognizes the responsibility that entails in ensuring servicemembers are properly cared for and that their safety is assured while they are at home.
“So we are going to stay on this,” he said. “But I hope in the meantime that all of you recognize the scope of this tragedy, and keep everybody in their thoughts and prayers.”
Speaking to reporters at Fort Hood, Army Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander of 3rd Corps and Fort Hood, credited quick response by police forces with bringing down a gunman after he opened fire at the soldier readiness unit.
“There were several eyewitness accounts that there was more than one shooter,” he said, noting that two additional soldiers had been taken into custody.
“The soldiers and family members are absolutely devastated,” he said. “It’s a terrible tragedy,” he said, but offered assurances, “We will work through it.”
So one guy, with two *handguns* manages to shoot forty some people, mostly soldiers? Seems somewhat incredible to me.
Of course if true, it illustrates the folly of disarming the "good guys".
As if the "Luby's Massacre", which occurred only about 5 miles or so from todays "massacre", shouldn't have been enough of a hint. That guy used handguns too.
How's that gun free zone working out for you, General?
Thanks for checking in.
Sounds as if you’ve had a helluva day.
The gun grabbers will use the entire matter make an argument that we need even more gun control.
Not so bad, I probably would have stayed at the office that late anyway. I needed to make up a little time that I took off yesterday to be with my wife as she was passing through Killeen. Well did change her mind and stayed the night, but that was not the original plan, which was to drive up to Waco and go to Ninfa's for a late birthday dinner, with just the the two of us.
What was different was that so many other folks' cars were still in the lot when I left.
Command post guys are probably still there. All of our folks got accounted for fairly quickly, including those on TDY. I was off post for lunch, and incommunicado. Boy were they suprised when I showed back up. :)
One former Marine El Tee just about ran over a retired Lt. Col. getting to the door when they finally released us.
OTOH, some folks, about 40 of them, had a really, really bad day. And that's a bitch.
Except on the trade route from West African to the Carribean, where they think they are expired slaves thrown overboard from the slave ships.
About being hot. They ordered the HVAC intakes closed off. Now that scared the shiite out of me. Just the implications. I got hit with that as I walked up to the door, via the Giant Voice, which proceeded the “seek cover immediately” announcement with a whooping sound from Hell.
As we were leaving the whooping was back, but this time teh voice, which could likely be heard at the house, since reveille and retreat can be, said “The Emergency is Over”. Didn’t mind hearing that a couple of times as I drove to the gate.
As I said, One Helluva day.
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