Obama: Fort Hood Shooting "Horrific"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

President Obama said this afternoon addressed what he called "a horrific outburst of violence" at the Fort Hood Army Post today, where 12 people were killed and 31 wounded by a shooter.

"It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas," the president said. "It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."

"My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded, and with the families of the fallen, and with those who live and serve at Fort Hood," he said at the Tribal Nations Conference at the Department of the Interior, where he had been scheduled to give remarks.

There was an audible gasp in the crowd when the president mentioned the shooting, indicating that attendees of the conference had not yet heard about it.

(CBS)

The president said he had spoke to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, and said he would be continually updated about the situation.

"We are working with the Pentagon, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security, all to ensure that Fort Hood is secure, and we will continue to support the community with the full resources of the federal government," the president said.

"In the meantime I would ask all Americans to keep the men and women of Fort Hood in your thoughts and prayers," he continued. "We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident."

"And I want all of you to know that as Commander in Chief, there is no greater honor, but also no greater responsibility for me, than to make sure that the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for and that their safety and security when they are at home is provided for," said Mr. Obama.

"So we are going to stay on this," he concluded. "But I hope in the meantime that all of you recognize the scope of this tragedy and keep everybody in their thoughts and prayers."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by pinoytutorial November 7, 2009 9:42 AM EST: It's not about being a muslim or not, but a psychopat-murder who got his mind all screwed emanating fear all of his life then baam, today - we saw a gruesome reality of what he really is capable of.. The only question remains, Now that he is alive? Shall we expect the unexpected? I wouldn't be surprise if a week from now a tabloid will report "Ford shooter bites the dust"

detailed sources: http://******/malik-hasan-details-about-the-man-behind-fort-hood-shootout; Reply to this comment

by stryker54 November 6, 2009 1:49 AM EST

hate to say this but it doesn't look good for the Musulim community. He was a shrink? A Doctor? Sad

Reply to this comment


by pinoytutorial November 6, 2009 3:00 PM EST: It's not about being a muslim or not, but a psychopat-murder who got his mind all screwed emanating fear all of his life then baam, today - we saw a gruesome reality of what he really is capable of.. The only question remains, Now that he is alive? Shall we expect the unexpected? I wouldn't be surprise if a week from now a tabloid will report "Ford shooter bites the dust"

detailed sources: http://******/malik-hasan-details-about-the-man-behind-fort-hood-shootout

by no3rocks November 5, 2009 11:57 PM EST

This is nothing less than a terrorist act and should be acknowledged and treated as such. But of course this gutless, appeasing administration will only use this horrific atrocity to rationalize his withdrawal plans from Afghanistan so the extremists can regroup, grow stronger and plan attacks that will make 9/11 look like a picnic. God help us!

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by stryker54 November 6, 2009 1:51 AM EST: You hit the nail on the head, but soon you will probably be called a racist, when in reality he was probably a radical muslim.


by 50BMS13 November 11, 2009 2:18 AM EST: no3rocks Good post. Absolutely a terrorist attack. And if Afghanistan isn't handled properly BIG TROUBLE! Obama is letting North Korea and Iran go nuclear. What does a Nuclear Iran + a nuclear North Korea + a failed afghanistan/al quaeda mission =????? A mushroom cloud at Times Square New York. Then what will all this muslim coddling look like then?


by Ronin34 November 5, 2009 9:06 PM EST: I couldn't agree more. I have been in the military for over 14 years and I don't like the idea of any free person especially in america giving up there personal freedom, But this is not only a religous war but a CULTURAL AND RELIGOUS WAR. I'm sure there are peace loving muslims all over the world and I have met some especially in IRAQ where the people there are at war still for their very safety from religous murder and torture at the hands of their own people who want them to submit to their ideology. Speaking of org's like ACLU they have their place but show me an organization called the free thinking non-radical pro-american muslim islamic society against all Jihad and personal fatwa and I'll join myself.; Reply to this comment

by supportourtroops653 November 5, 2009 8:30 PM EST

Our thoughts and prayers are definitely with OUR soldiers and their families. I am not some crazy conspiracy theorist, but this is the start/continuation of some awful events to come. The fact that the Major that was a shooter has an Islamic name is NOT coincidental...don't believe it for a second. It was OK in WWII to place Japanese in camps to sort things out...But did we have the ACLU back then? We are being infiltrated and torn down from the inside out like a cancer. Start the chemo and radiation therapy before it's too late.

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by Ronin34 November 5, 2009 9:14 PM EST: I couldn't agree more. I have been in the military for over 14 years and I don't like the idea of any free person especially in america giving up there personal freedom, But this is not only a religous war but a CULTURAL AND RELIGOUS WAR. I'm sure there are peace loving muslims all over the world and I have met some especially in IRAQ where the people there are at war still for their very safety from religous murder and torture at the hands of their own people who want them to submit to their ideology. Speaking of org's like ACLU they have their place but show me an organization called the free thinking non-radical pro-american muslim islamic society against all Jihad and personal fatwa and I'll join myself.

by squeakof2006 November 5, 2009 7:30 PM EST

God Bless America and the troops stationed at Fort Hood. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families this tragic night.

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by 50BMS13 November 11, 2009 2:13 AM EST: Amen. And if you hear "Allah Ahkbar" hit the floor REAL FAST

by th9876 November 5, 2009 7:30 PM EST

It's time to stop these stupid wars Obama - like you said you would. You escalated these wars by throwing more money at them so you own them now - no more blaming on Bush and Cheney. Not to mention this is costing us a billion dollars a week. FOR WHAT??? Stop these wars, bring our poor soldiers home. Man up Obama and do what you said you were going to do for once.

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by supportourtroops653 November 5, 2009 8:37 PM EST: He is spending more on welfare and "stimulus" than on the war. He can't man up, he doesn't have the slightest clue. Watch the video. Total lack of resolve, feeling, emotion.


by redwilma November 5, 2009 8:44 PM EST: He NEVER said he would bring the troops home from Afghanistan, but I hope he will. And, if he does decide that, I'll know that he carefully weighed the pros and cons of doing so.

by timing20002000 November 5, 2009 7:16 PM EST

I am glad Pres. Obama is our President. I am glad that we live in a democracy, where hopefully all parties can come together during this most difficult times.

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by truthsquad_11 November 5, 2009 9:21 PM EST: HOPEfully our country can make it through the next 3 years without this band of gangsters selling us out to our enemies...man this koolaid is "burp" good......nevermind... everything is fine..