Suspect's Past Marked by "Difficulties"

Alleged Ft. Hood Gunman Reportedly Wanted Out of Military; Officials Look for Link to Web Posts About Suicide Bombers

(CBS/AP)  Last Updated at 10:24 a.m. EST

Military officials were starting to piece together what may have pushed an Army psychiatrist trained to help soldiers in distress to turn on his comrades in a shooting rampage that killed 13 people and wounded 30 in Texas.

There are many unknowns about Nidal Malik Hasan, the man authorities say is responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base.

Hasan, who was shot four times during the rampage at the Army's sprawling Fort Hood, was on a ventilator and unconscious in a hospital, post officials said.

Federal authorities seized the suspect's computer and are looking for clues that may have led to the military massacre.

A U.S. law enforcement official said that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's apartment in Killeen, Texas, was searched early Friday. It was not immediately known if FBI agents found anything suspicious on Hasan's computer files.

A military official said investigators also are sifting through materials Hasan carried with him during the shooting incident and evidence left in his vehicle, which was found parked at the base.

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Female Cop Hailed as Ft. Hood Hero
"Allahu Akbar": Hasan's Words as He Fired?
Military Spouse's Reaction
Forensic Psychiatrist on Suspect's Possible Mindset
Radical Ties Not Ruled Out at Ft. Hood
Store's Video May Show Ft. Hood Suspect
Anti-Muslim Backlash Immediate
Fort Hood Rampage Suspect Sill Alive
What Was Shooter's Motive?
Soldier Opens Fire at Ft. Hood; 13 Dead
U.S. Army Base Violence Has Bloody History
Obama: Fort Hood Shooting "Horrific"
Fast Facts: Fort Hood
Tragedy at Fort Hood

For six years before reporting for duty at Fort Hood, Texas, in July, the 39-year-old Army major worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center pursuing his career in psychiatry, as an intern, a resident and, last year, a fellow in disaster and preventive psychiatry. He received his medical degree from the military's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001.

Hasan earned his rank of major in April 2008, according to a July 2008 Army Times article.

He served eight years as an enlisted soldier. He also served in the ROTC as an undergraduate at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, where he received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry in 1997.

But his record wasn't sterling. At Walter Reed, he received a poor performance evaluation, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. And while he was an intern, Hasan had some "difficulties" that required counseling and extra supervision, said Dr. Thomas Grieger, who was the training director at the time.

Grieger said privacy laws prevented him from going into details but noted that the problems had to do with Hasan's interactions with patients. He recalled Hasan as a "mostly very quiet" person who never spoke ill of the military or his country.

"He swore an oath of loyalty to the military," Grieger said. "I didn't hear anything contrary to those oaths."

But, more recently, federal agents grew suspicious.

At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.

They had not determined for certain whether Hasan is the author of the postings, and a formal investigation had not been opened before the shooting, said law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case.

One posting originated with an essay posted on Scribd.com, the popular document-sharing Web site, which argued that suicide bombings were not authorized by Islamic law. It said, for instance, that "it should be quite obvious that all of the 'evidences' used to justify suicide bombing by way of analogy are rather tenuous."

A subsequent, poorly-spelled comment from a user named "NidalHasan" posted in May 2009 seemed to take issue with that analysis. "If one suicide bomber can kill 100 enemy soldiers because they were caught off guard that would be considered a strategic victory," the comment said. "You can call them crazy i [sic] you want but their act was not one of suicide that is despised by Islam."

It's difficult to know from a single comment, of course, if that "NidalHasan" was the account used by the same person now in custody after the shooting. A public records search lists at least half a dozen people in the United States with the same first and last name.

Authorities have not ruled out that Hasan was acting on behalf of some unidentified radical group, a senior U.S. official in Washington said. He would not say whether any evidence had come to light to support that theory.

Retired Army Col. Terry Lee, who said he worked with Hasan, told Fox News that Hasan had hoped President Barack Obama would pull troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq. Lee said Hasan got into frequent arguments with others in the military who supported the wars, and had tried hard to prevent his own pending deployment.

A military official told The Associated Press that Hasan was in the preparation stage of deployment, which can take months. The official said Hasan had indicated he didn't want to go to Iraq but was willing to serve in Afghanistan. The official did not have authorization to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A cousin, Nader Hasan, told The New York Times that after counseling soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress disorder, Hasan knew war firsthand.

"He was mortified by the idea of having to deploy," Nader Hasan said. "He had people telling him on a daily basis the horrors they saw over there."

There have been reports that Hasan was harassed for his Muslim religion, but the official says there is no indication Hasan filed a complaint within the military about that.

Terrorism task force agents plan to interview several of Hasan's relatives Friday, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the case.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Hasan's aunt, Noel Hasan of Falls Church, Virginia, said he had been harassed about being a Muslim in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and he wanted out of the Army.

"Some people can take it and some people cannot," she said. "He had listened to all of that and he wanted out of the military."

She said he had sought a discharge from the military for several years, and even offered to repay the cost of his medical training.

Hasan attended prayers regularly when he lived outside Washington, often in his Army uniform, said Faizul Khan, a former imam at a mosque Hasan attended in Silver Spring, Maryland. He said Hasan was a lifelong Muslim.

"I got the impression that he was a committed soldier," Khan said. He spoke often with Hasan about Hasan's desire for a wife.

On a form filled out by those seeking spouses through a program at the mosque, Hasan listed his birthplace as Arlington, Virginia, but his nationality as Palestinian, Khan said.

"I don't know why he listed Palestinian," Khan said, "He was not born in Palestine."

Nothing stood out about Hasan as radical or extremist, Khan said.

"We hardly ever got to discussing politics," Khan said. "Mostly we were discussing religious matters, nothing too controversial, nothing like an extremist."

[band3x]

"It's difficult to know from a single comment, of course, if that "NidalHasan" was the account used by the same person now in custody after the shooting."


I am curious. Wouldn't a professional news organization be obligated to make CERTAIN that the words posted were actually those of the suspect? For all we know SeeBS is just putting words in this man's mouth. They have not even taken the time to prove that the suspect is the same person who said these things. And, at the MOST, the words are just a theological disagreement. In no such way did he say he supported suicide bombings. He was just bringing to point the the Islamic religion my condone such actions. SeeBS is trying to make a story out of thin air at the cost of the suspect.

[John_Merritt]

"Suspect's Past Marked by "Difficulties". There is not a person who breathes air instead of through gills who have not experienced difficulties in life. It is how we handle the tough times, and who we trust to deliver us that will ensure any modicum of success. Those that have no support system and/or not able to trust for their personal deliverance will essentially cave in to the pressures of life.

I for one, am a little disheartened that people continue to dwell on their past or allow the past to override the present in their thoughts, actions and deeds. I feel for anyone who has reached a point of no return in their life, because long before this took shape they exhibited the very behaviors that comprise their present status.

Those that seek to harm others many times are not actually planning on doing harm to themselves or others; but for the most part no one is listening to their cries for help. How can that be when their family, friends, co-workers, peers, clergy and others who see and say "I was worried because he/she showed tendencies but I never knew...." That is just a way of them pacifying their own lack of response to this individual or afraid to assist them personally.

Hasan had a clergyman who stated previously that he was showing an extreme nature uncharacteristic of him. Rodriquez' mother and others stated the same thing. When are we going to finally realize the emotions of others that we see or come in contact with, dictate the nature of our own compassion and response to those in need?

It is a sad day in America when we speak of these occurences after the fact instead of telling a story of salvaging another life before events like these take place. I can only hope that we have all learned invaluable lessons, unfortunately after the fact. These might be extreme situations, but really no different that allowing your drunk friends to get behind the wheel of a car and driving; or the bartender who keeps serving drinks knowing that their customer is 'pie eyed' and unable to function capably.

May God Bless all those who are suffering today aside from this incident and others who are party to this tragedy.

[YrStillWrong]

I see that the usual collection of folks with tin foil in their hats have gathered at the CBS News board. Any theocratic police state that isn't wildly endorsed or excused by this crew needs a new press secretary.

[oh_please]

No one force him join as far I know.

[oh_please]

These types should be screened out for everyones good.

[oh_please]

NailGunner,

Your so right man!

[oh_please]

If a person doesn't like what the army does whys he join than complain and make excuses for his actions? These sorts of people should be screened out for everyones sake!

[YrStillWrong]

The CBS News board is "home base" for a lot of people with difficulties. Perhaps after they rant about GWB and the "Jewish Question", a Texas cop will know what to do.

[revlin1]

U.S. Army (asleep at the wheel regarding this guy and the danger he posed with his beliefs...) U.S. Army= keep trying to be politically correct and see how many more innocent Americans get killed both CONUS AND OCONUS....Dangerous prospect isn't it? Having the "higher ups" look at themselves and each other and speak the truth....

[Newster1]

"She said he had sought a discharge from the military for several years, and even offered to repay the cost of his medical training. "

Should taken him up on that offer, next time the military should DO that. why keep idiots there who dont want to be there any more??

[legacyABQ2]

his parents were from a small town outside jerusalem, so that's why he listed Palenstine on his, uh, marraige arrangement form..

[SocietysNightmare]

Define PROPOGANDA! I read NOTHING in this article that I would classify as a DIFFICULTY. I guess now the Feds will be investigating me too. Too bad this man has to stand trial in a military court. If it were a civilian trial with the verdict coming from the BENCH not a JURY BOX, A first year law student could get him off.

[joadun]

Don't you just love the headline of this story: Suspect's Past Marked by "Difficulties". Now the excuses for this radical person start.

[notso9]

EXACTLY!!!!!! Liberal government, liberal media!

[Newster1]

he wasnt radical he is sick i n the head, its not making excuses to outline his miserable life

[notso9]

Please don't let this man be made a Martyr for what he has done. Already it is being made to look like it wasn't his fault he killed 13 people. Give me a break. This is what is wrong with us today. It is never my fault, always someone elses. Where I come from I take responsibility for my own actions. Isn't this the way it is supposed to be? Dem's are going downhill fast for their liberal, no blame attitudes.

[schaick]

In Islam it is always the non-believer's or non-muslims fault. Islam has to play the victim card to hide the truth of Islam.

Muslims hear in Friday mosque how evil the west is- we are satan!

by the way the ony way a muslim can ebter paradise:
9.111 Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain:

[ubrew12]

What would it be like to make the rounds at Walter Reed, and hear tale after tale of soldiers killing muslims, hating them, wanting to destroy them: men, women, children? Or of soldiers stricken with PTSD relating tales that would convince you that THEY were the normal ones, tales of fellow soldiers, still in the military serving 'honorably', who had engaged in unspeakable acts against civilians?

This guy deserves to die for what he did. But, getting to the bottom of his actions, why would the military put a man of Mid-East heritage in the position to hear those kinds of tales, of atrocities committed against people like himself? And then demote him to the point where he was going to be sent to the Mid-East, presumeably to do them himself?

Again, I hope he gets the death penalty. But, as the story comes out, I'm afraid we're going to hear about some pretty sick psychological behavior coming out of Walter Reed. The kind that might just turn an MD into a mass-murderer. He should die. But they possibly need to reform something about how these assignments are made.

[biger-e]

by ubrew12 November 6, 2009 11:54 AM EST
................... soldiers killing muslims, hating them, wanting to destroy them: men, women, children? ................ tales of fellow soldiers, still in the military serving 'honorably', who had engaged in unspeakable acts against civilians?

WOW. are you serious? delusional? try some meds. what a clown.

[ubrew12]

Well, half a million Iraqi's died in just a few years. Are we to believe they all died from sanitary bombing? Tales have come out about the urban warfare practiced there, and they are pretty chilling.

War is hell. Thats not my delusion, thats reality. The delusion is to think otherwise.

[6591Hou]

ubrew12 November 6, 2009 12:24 PM EST
"Well, half a million Iraqi's died in just a few years. Are we to believe they all died from sanitary bombing? Tales have come out about the urban warfare practiced there, and they are pretty chilling."

Of your number of 'half a million', how many were killed by the insurgents,Al Queada, Iranian backed militias et al?

[mswolfestock]

I absolutely hate the idea that the Army was so desperate for enlistees that they let this whack job in. He had no business being anywhere near soldiers with PTSD or other mental problems.

[notso9]

I believe it is the other way around. Muslims killing OUR troops for martyrdom. War is hell, not what the dem's want you to think.

[SevenAngryFreds]

A muslim named Hasan as a major in the US Army. Thats just brilliant.

[skyk-2009]

These things happen when you loosen requirements to get in the Military. We had the same problem during Vietnam, guys being taken in who shouldn't have been.

[DaVicar8]

Why do we NOW get stories about the Muslim Major surfing Islamic Bombing sites on the web?
Shouldn't this stuff raise a red flag BEFORE he goes about killing Americans?

[skyk-2009]

DaVicar8, as I said in a previous post this happens when you loosen requirements to meet recruiting goals. It happened to us in Vietnam. I had HQ send me a guy one day who was scared to take his gear off because the devil was out there! LOL I turned him around, put him back on the Chopper and sent him back. Let's just hope the Klan Followers don't go wacko on US over this.

[ibsteve2u]

lolll...didn't you read the story? To compress CBS' words to make it clearer:

[bq]
A subsequent, poorly-spelled comment from a user named "NidalHasan" posted in May 2009 seemed to take issue with that analysis. [...]
It's difficult to know from a single comment, of course, if that "NidalHasan" was the account used by the same person now in custody after the shooting.
[eq]

That is, no evidence exists to prove that he was surfing Islamic "bombing sites on the web".

It is just a handle - and a similarity to somebody else is no proof, at all.

The unfortunate consequence of this CBS story, I'm afraid, is that people with innate behavioral problems will seize upon the idea and begin posting comments using handles similar to somebody they don't like.

Say, a rightie commenter on CBS gets irked because somebody doesn't roll over and acknowledge that Dick Cheney is God, so they make comments using the same handle of that person on websites that promote Islamic fundamentalism and/or terrorism.

Of course, I suppose whackjob lefties might do that, too....you better google "DaVicar" to make sure they're not using your name!

lolll....

[bc-1948]

Apparently you can't read - it didn't say this was the person on that site. - "there are at least a half dozen other people with the same name spelling in the US."

[stn_sage]

There are TOO many Ft.Hood relate stories on CBS today!

There are a lot of other things going on in both America & the world...how about reporting on some of them, too?

[missme4]

The serial rapist/killer stories and nowhere in the top headlines today. HAHAHAHAHA

[YrStillWrong]

Okay. Today, a lot of Muslims killed a lot of non-Muslims elsewhere.

[missme4]

Even if it was a terrorist attack the feds will not admit to it, just like they are trying to do with the hanging of the census worker with the word FED carved in his chest. They don't want the public to know the truth about the revolt in america; so, they can prevent others from wanting to do the same thing. How do you call a man hanging in a tree, hands duct taped, and the word FED carved into his chest a suicide? The feds are desperate to keep a lid on the truth...americans have had enough!

[skyk-2009]

missme4, OH PLEASE!! Get a life and turn off Glenn Beck!

[band3x]

"OH PLEASE!! Get a life and turn off Glenn Beck!"


I have only watched Glen Beck once in my life. This story came from MSNBC.