A gunman killed 12 people and injured 31 more early this afternoon at Fort Hood, Texas, the Army said.
“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, according to American Forces Press Service.
“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.”
Media identified the shooter as Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan, a mental health professional and a Muslim convert. Hasan was killed by authorities. The shooting “appears to be the worst mass shooting at a U.S. military base,” The Associated Press reported.
The shootings took place at the fort’s Soldier Readiness Processing Center and Howze Theater, American Forces Press Service reported. Fox News Channel reported that Hasan did not want to deploy overseas.