Officials: Fort Hood Shooter Acted Alone

Hasan Meets Lawyers, Investigation of Links to Controversial Imam Continues; FBI Probes Possible Missed Signals

(CBS/AP)  Updated 7:20 a.m. EST

The Army psychiatrist accused of the Fort Hood massacre apparently acted alone and without outside direction, investigative officials said Monday evening, even as the FBI launched an internal review of how it handled information gathered about Hasan nearly a year before the shooting.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, awake and talking to doctors, met his lawyer Monday in the Texas hospital where he is recovering under guard from gunshot wounds in the rampage Thursday that left 13 people dead and 29 injured. Officials said he will be tried in a military court, not a civilian one.

Based on investigations since the attack, including a review of that 2008 information, the investigators said they have no evidence that Hasan had help or outside orders in the shootings.

As the investigation continues, FBI Director Robert Mueller has ordered an internal inquiry to see whether the bureau mishandled worrisome information gathered about Hasan beginning in December 2008 and continuing into early this year.

In late 2008, officials said, an investigation revealed Hasan's communications with another individual they declined to identify. Separately, another U.S. official said the person Hasan was communicating with was Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical imam overseas who has come under scrutiny for possible links to terror groups. All of the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case on the record.

Eventually, a joint terrorism task force learned of about 10 or 20 such communications between the two. Officials would not identify the exact type of communications, but al-Awlaki operates a Web site that invites readers to e-mail him. Al-Awlaki was formerly an imam at a Falls Church, Va., mosque where Hasan and his family occasionally worshipped

The military was made aware of the communications, but because the messages did not advocate violence or threaten violence, law enforcement authorities could not take the matter further, the officials said. The terrorism task force concluded Hasan was not involved in terrorist planning.

The communications appeared to be benign with Hasan asking for help on a research paper studying the effects of war on Muslim American soldiers and Awlaki responding with "spiritual guidance," reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr.

Officials say there was no talk of terrorism so no investigation was launched, Orr reports.

But, the communications now raise serious questions. Awlaki is an influential voice spewing anti-American rhetoric from his exile in Yemen. He had known connections with three of the 9/11 terrorists and he's an ongoing inspiration for radicals. He was released from a jail in Yemen last year, writes a blog that denounces U.S. policies as anti-Muslim.

Today on his Web site Awlaki praised Hasan's rampage.

Now, Orr reports investigators are looking for further evidence that Awlaki may have played a role in the Fort Hood attack. And while Hasan is still considered a lone wolf, it's clear he has at least some connections to known extremists.

Investigators tried to interview Hasan on Sunday at the military hospital where he is held under guard, but he refused to answer and requested a lawyer, the officials said.

On Monday afternoon, Hasan's new civilian and military attorneys met him for about half an hour at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, said retired Col. John P. Galligan, who was hired by Hasan's family.

Galligan said Hasan asked for an attorney even though he is on sedatives and his condition is guarded.

"Given his medical condition, that's the smart move," Galligan told The Associated Press on Monday night. "Nobody from law enforcement will be questioning him."

Galligan said both he and Maj. Christopher E. Martin, Fort Hood's senior defense attorney, met Hasan. Galligan questioned whether Hasan can get a fair trial at Fort Hood, given President Obama's planned visit to the base on Tuesday and public comments by the post commander, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone. Galligan also said he plans to raise the issue of Hasan's mental condition.

The most serious charge in military court is premeditated murder, which carries the death penalty.

The Army has not yet appointed a lead prosecutor in the case, said Fort Hood spokesman Tyler Broadway.

Authorities say Hasan fired off more than 100 rounds Thursday at a soldier processing center before civilian police shot him in the torso. He was taken into custody and eventually moved to an Army hospital in San Antonio, where he was in stable condition and able to talk, said Dewey Mitchell, a Brooke Army Medical Center spokesman.

Authorities continue to refer to Hasan, 39, as the only suspect in the shootings, but they won't say when charges would be filed and have said they have not determined a motive. A spokesman for Army investigators did not immediately respond to calls and e-mails seeking comment Monday.

Sources tell CBS News that investigators believe at this point that Hasan methodically planned his attack and that it appears that he targeted those in military uniform.

It is not clear whether terrorism laws would apply or not. Evidence would have to show that the act was inspired by a terrorist group or influenced or directed by terrorists or terrorist ideology, CBS News reports. Officials believe at this point that there is mounting evidence that indicates Hasan's actions were inspired by the global jihadist message which would be an element in charging someone with terrorism.

Hasan's uncle told CBS News correspondent Don Teague Tuesday that his nephew had described his anguish over the prospect of being deployed to Afghanistan. "He told me about one of his visions, describing his situation to me," said the uncle, speaking on the phone from near the Palestinian town of Ramallah. "I saw tears come from his eyes."

Retired Col. John P. Galligan said he was contacted Monday by Hasan's family, which asked him to be their lawyer. Galligan said he was headed to an Army hospital in San Antonio to meet Hasan.

"Until I meet with him, it's best to say we're just going to protect all of his rights," he said. Galligan said he did not know Hasan's condition.

Fifteen of the shooting victims remained hospitalized with gunshot wounds, and eight were in intensive care.

President Obama will attend a memorial ceremony Tuesday afternoon with families of the 12 service members and 1 civilian who were killed. Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the post commander, said the formal military memorial will include prayers, a sermon and a 21-gun salute.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Tragedy at Fort Hood

Meanwhile, information has surfaced that Hasan apparently attended the same mosque as two Sept. 11 hijackers in 2001, at a time when a radical imam preached there. Whether Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, associated with the hijackers is something the FBI will probably look into, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Orr reports that an examination of Hasan's computer has revealed that he did visit Web sites promoting radical Islamic views, but investigators have not found any e-mail communications with outside facilitators or known terrorists.

One senior official told CBS News, "Everything continues to indicate that Hasan acted alone." The official, however, described the investigation as "fluid and still in its early stages."

According to those who knew him - including soldiers - Hasan repeatedly proclaimed that the United States' war on terror was a war on Islam, and that he wanted nothing to do with his pending deployment to Afghanistan later this month, CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds reports.

"I don't think anyone suspects at this point, and the authorities aren't suggesting that Hasan was directed by al Qaeda or that he was acting anything other than alone in this attack," CBS News terrorism expert Juan Zarate told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith. "But I think what's troubling is the fact that he did express those views. It appeared he was growing more and more radical, though he was still in his position to treat soldiers. And I think that's the difficult part here for the Army."

Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., who is chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, wants Congress to determine whether the shootings constitute a terrorist attack.

"If Hasan was showing signs, saying to people that he had become an Islamist extremist, the U.S. Army has to have zero tolerance," Lieberman said on "Fox News Sunday." "He should have been gone."

Authorities continue to refer to Hasan as the only suspect in the shootings that killed 13 and wounded 29, but they won't say when charges would be filed and have said they have not determined a motive.

More Coverage of the Tragedy at Fort Hood:
Counseling for Trauma, Grief at Ft. Hood
Ft. Hood Shooting: Composure Under Fire
Report: U.S. Knew Hasan Sought al Qaeda
Radical Imam's Web Site Praises Hasan
Fort Hood Reflects, but Work Carries On
Hasan Computer Shows No Terror Ties
List of Fort Hood Dead, Wounded

[fariborzzak]

If he was angry about war in Afghanistan ,he should ( at least)killed the commanders.

[fariborzzak]

he has killed innocent people.His action is not acceptable by Islam.

[ibsteve2u]

Re: "n late 2008, officials said, an investigation revealed Hasan's communications with another individual they declined to identify. Separately, another U.S. official said the person Hasan was communicating with was Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical imam overseas who has come under scrutiny for possible links to terror groups. All of the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case on the record."

"Not authorized"...

How do we know any of that is true, then? How do we know that isn't a load of baloney put forth by someone with an agenda?

lolll...oh, but wait - nobody has an agenda of their own, eh? Ask the righties...

[earth5661]

Yes !!!...and how do we know that the Earth is oval or if Michael Jackson is not really living in Fargo, North Dakota driving a Mister Softee truck ?...hmmm

Its all an agenda I tell ya !!!

[rf35]

The thing that many are missing here is that Maj Hasan was a psychiatrist. That means he was a member of the medical corps and therefore a non-combatant. He would not have been going there to kill "his people." In fact, if one of them was brought into the post he was stationed at (as a prisoner, for example), he would be obligated to treat them, if needed.

[love2ridend]

I hope this investigation shows that 9mm should not be carried by US troops or the police. Return to .45 cal I bet he would no longer would need the services of an attorney if he was shot 3 times with a 45. Just a funeral director.

[cleric60]

"Do it in the name of heaven you can justify it in the end..." as the
folk song tells us. It is a pretense in the name of religion, be it Islam, Christian,and Jewish to cover-up the real reasons to kill. The real reasons are power, greed, earthly gain such as land, oil, etc.
Sadly, there are weak-minded members of religions, who foolishly believe that God whatever God's name is, will justify their killing or stealing. The Creator God of the Christians, Islam, and Jewish is a God of life, not death.

[kevjustice]

Tragic event. But so are the two illegal unprovoked wars. Now the U.S. is using the usual bogus cover of giving these people democracy when the real goal is conquest.

[earth5661]

lets get into the topic of the health bill or why Almonds are so expensive and why while were all at it !

[ConstantineXIII]

Obama bears significant responsibility for the Fort Hood terrorist attack. Obama has fostered and encouraged the atmosphere of political correctness that discouraged Army officials from taking action against the Islamic jihadist murderer. Obama's political correctness has reached epic, idiotic proportions as evidenced by: (1) his praise of Islam in Cairo for "inventing the printing press" and other things that aren't true (2) encouraging "interfaith" studies which inevitably come to the conclusion that Western society is the problem, not any aspects of Islam (3)his encouragement of the establishment of Saudi funded Islamic cultural institutions in the United States---such as was recently built in VIrginia---and which institution will doubtless be pushing the typical Saudi brand of radical Islam(4) Obama's refusal to even use the word "jihad"(5) Obama's constant apologies for the United States(6) Obama's distortion and propaganda in exaggerating acts of alleged U.S. "torture"(7)his weakness in countering Iran's nuclear program(8) his dithering over whether to send more troops to Afghanistan(9) his release of Gitmo detainees---many of which have already returned to jihad activities(10) his threats to prosecute CIA and other officers. The list goes on and it is this administration, led by His Arrogance, the Lord Barack Hussein Obama(who claims to have all the answers and who shoves his face on TV for you to see virtually every day) that is pushing this stupid political correctness that is hamstringing efforts to counter jihadists. It is sad to see how Obama is dismantling America's power militarily and economically and how his stupid political correctness leads to terrorist attacks that could have been prevented.

[50BMS13]

Wow! Good post! You sure done your homework. This is so obvious. I wish people would wake up. Keep posting this ConstantineIII

[fariborzzak]

Saudi Arabia is feeding USA,how could US Gov. act against S.Arabia.

[ConstantineXIII]

Obama bears significant responsibility for the Fort Hood terrorist attack. Obama has fostered and encouraged the atmosphere of political correctness that discouraged Army officials from taking action against the Islamic jihadist murderer. Obama's political correctness has reached epic, idiotic proportions as evidenced by: (1) his praise of Islam in Cairo for "inventing the printing press" and other things that aren't true (2) encouraging "interfaith" studies which inevitably come to the conclusion that Western society is the problem, not any aspects of Islam (3)his encouragement of the establishment of Saudi funded Islamic cultural institutions in the United States---such as was recently built in VIrginia---and which institution will doubtless be pushing the typical Saudi brand of radical Islam(4) Obama's refusal to even use the word "jihad"(5) Obama's constant apologies for the United States(6) Obama's distortion and propaganda in exaggerating acts of alleged U.S. "torture"(7)his weakness in countering Iran's nuclear program(8) his dithering over whether to send more troops to Afghanistan(9) his release of Gitmo detainees---many of which have already returned to jihad activities(10) his threats to prosecute CIA and other officers. The list goes on and it is this administration, led by His Arrogance, the Lord Barack Hussein Obama(who claims to have all the answers and who shoves his face on TV for you to see virtually every day) that is pushing this stupid political correctness that is hamstringing efforts to counter jihadists. It is sad to see how Obama is dismantling America's power militarily and economically and how his stupid political correctness leads to terrorist attacks that could have been prevented.

[fariborzzak]

Iran's nuclear program is none of US business.

[50BMS13]

fariborzzak
Park your camel for a second and think....Ahmadinejad denies the holocaust and wants Israel wiped off the map and you say Iran's nuclear program is not the US's business? Wake up! If Iran gets the bomb and uses it even once against the US or Israel, the US and or Israel will make Iran nothing more than a glass parking lot. The US has over 25,000 Nuclear warheads and Israel about 30. If Iran gets "1" they will use it or see that it is used against us. Guess what happens next? No more desert for your camels to walk on. Get real.

[bubbadubba]

Hasan will "escape from custody" and end up in a Muslim country.
You will see I am right.

[fariborzzak]

his action is not acceptable by Islam.

[bubbadubba]

What they are hiding is that Hassan did this shooting out of anger over the DC Sniper (also a Muslim) being executed for his crimes.

[bubbadubba]

Even for the US government that was really a quick "clean up" and protection for Islam.
Is Bush still President?
He must be.
Or maybe our Saudi masters ordered them to say the MASS MURDERER (not shooter) acted alone.

[solidoak]

There is no debate to terrorism fomented by Christians. Christians do not go around the world killing people because others do not believe as they do. In Ireland Catholics and Protestants have fought for years, but they don't go all over the world to bomb people as the Islamic fanatics do. And now we have a centralized case in Texas, planned by a Muslim, and carried out. I will not believe what anyone says that he acted alone. He was definitely influenced by outsiders. If we continue to let political correctness ruin this country, then you young people can wake up to a different world very soon. Another 9/11 might wake you up, but I doubt it. Islamists want to control the world, and our government is so afraid of labeling others as extremists, it's pathetic,except when it comes to the skinheads or the Klan,but they pose no threat. Fanatical Islamists do.

[pleiku1]

Most troubling is the fact 2nd generation of immigrants into USA are more than grateful for escaping from their father's world. eg Irish, Italian, Japanese and others. For the Muslims to be in war with their new country indicates a shift which we have not seen before. Is it my God is knows better than your God? Hey, leave your baggage where you came from. Having said that there are fanatic Christians as well. As you know,the world is only several thousand years old.

[Callinator2]

To pleikuf,
You too must be living in a fantasy world or something, because those Immigrant's came to this country for a better life, not to distroy life.

I know many muslims' live and serve in the military honorably, but not the Infitile that killed thirteen soilders' and wounded 30+ more.

I feel I'm stuck in a pattern trying to defend my message, it really dos'ent matter what religion you practice, only if you are willing to kill innocent live's over it. I again rest my case.

Sincerely ,
Ricky

[Callinator2]

I think that it is a disgrace, not only to the abrupt decision from the FBI, but also a lack of concern from our military to not take this undoubtabling disturbed Islamic extremist' seriously.
With all the evidence mounting, I feel if nothing else he should have been discharged withtout futher adue, dishonarably.
We live in a time that undoubtably memories' are short, but know it's too late. Thirtheen soldier's lost their live's and 30+ wounded and most likely scrared for life because several groups in charge dropped the ball again, just as on 09'11.
Why should we take any threat softly, based on the ideology of these terrorist and wait for a disater to happen.
I, as a citizen, feel betrayed.


Sincerely,
Ricky

[evatall]

seems the only person who is walking blind folded is you. you just don't see the facts straight forward. it's OK i don't blame you because the USA policy was and has always been to back stab people in the back. The USA government funded Al-Qaeda and Iraq during their wars because of common interests but when the war ended,USA turned away from them and hence hatred started building up. When we as Americans support Israel , a nuke country, against innocent children in Lebanon or Palestine, when we bomb and kill entire tribies and families in Iraq or Afghanistan due to pilot errors or lack of intelligence,when we invade Iraq based on a lie by the head of the state(where are the damn WMDs?) ,then maybe you can snap and wake up and smell the real thing. it's you who live in a dark bubble glass because you ignore the facts. I pity you.

[earth5661]

Evitall,

Getiing your news from Al-Jazeera I can tell.

The same old same old diatribes.

[nextgenman09]

Unfortunately earthy, evatall has somewhat of a point. Remmeber, the US funded, trained and supplied what became both Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the late 70's earrly 80's to fight America's Ideological War against the Soviets in Afghanistan. That's a fact. We also ditched them after it was over and left Afghanistan to fall apart. That's also a fact. Ronnie Reagan sent Don Rumsfeld to love all over Saddam Hussein when we hated the Iranians. That's a fact. We also supported the Iranians when we hated Iraq. Another fact.

When you play both sides of the fence, expect everybody to eventually turn on you. That is just the way it is. Doesn't matter whether the low-educated, hoot bumpkin conservitarded want to accept it or not. Its fact.

[earth5661]

nextgenman,

I have a problem with this neo-history and imagining that only the USA does these things.

Do you think that Russia and China or any other country has never played "both " sides ?

This has and always has been the way ALL countrys have acted since the stone age.

Why is there never a condemnation of the rest of the countrys on the globe for all the misdeeds they have done in the last 100 years ?

Reading the rants from many here I would suggest a history book to start or maybe the Wall Street Journal instead of reading from sites that have pages missing out of the book.

[solidoak]

Why hasn't Obama visited the wounded and their families? Former President Bush has, and also told the media not to make a story of it. The man has humbleness.

[50BMS13]

Obama supports muslim theology. He doesn't want to offend his muslim brothers. He will pardon this jihadist and they will be having beers at the Whitehouse. President Bush is a class act. He truly loves his country and those serving. Oh, Obama will get down there, but it sure hasn't been a priority.

[O-Dog2009]

The Government got caught slipping on this one! He was a Psych-ologist/iatrist inside there!!! He wasn't like "Klinger"!!! Whatever color or religion he is they shouldve been keeping an eye on him. Hindsight's 20/20 and all but I mean he's a head doctor in Ft. Hood!!!! He has inside access 2 a lot more stuff than your average private!!!

[erich_1-2009]

Stone him!

[ToolMangler1]

I would rather talk to him quietly and find out what tripped his trigger.
that info is worth having and may save 'many lives'.
We have him under control. we should take our time (and not rush to judgment) so that we 'miss nothing' that might give a clue to heading this off before it happens again (to somebody flying a Bomber) or (in charge of a nuclear reactor)..

[50BMS13]

LOL

[wdh3007]

If this would have happened in a middle eastern country it would have been all or nothing they would have either choped his head off or thought nothing of it kind of like the shooter. Maybe because it happens alot and they are to much into their religion of peace. In this country they will fight on who gets to put him to death legally in the courts which will take time and if that fails he will spend the rest of his life in prison not knowing which way is east to pray.

[evatall]

I don't understand why the media is making a big fuss out of these shootings. I mean, the soldiers who got shot or killed in Texas were about to get shot or killed if deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. The psycho Major only accelerated time . You can't argue that . It doesn't make a difference at all when you know that you are a dead man walking. Lessons learned: Bring the troops back home. very simple and easy: it will spare the lives of the troops and will ease tensions with the Muslim world. the USA has not more interest in sending more troops to war-zones unless they share the common interest with the terrorists which is killing more US troops.

[jgg000015]

glad to know that you are recovering from your lobotomy

[Callinator2]

To by evatall,
You must be living in a glass bubble or some sick commune where you fell extrordinarary safe. Don't you realize if we don't create a better enviroment over there, then we will have more attack's over here.
Some people with sick mind's will never get thing's right.

Sincerely ,
Ricky

[earth5661]

Evatall,

Your logic is like why feel sorry for the victims of concentration camps when they might of gotten killed fighting the war anyways.

Why were you born when you'll eventually die one day ?

Call 1-800-get-aBrain when you get a chance as their having a sale tommorrow and shipping is free just for you.