As new details unfold, nation honors fallen soldiers Updated: 11/6/2009 8:17 PM By: News 8 Austin Staff
Obama said the entire nation is grieving over Fort Hood.
A moment of silence was honored at 1:34 p.m. for all U.S. military forces worldwide.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates set aside the time as a show of respect for the shooting victims at Fort Hood.
Twelve people were killed in the initial attack and another person died later at a local hospital, bringing the total to 13 deaths.
Dozens more were injured when authorities said Major Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire at the post. Army officials said Hasan was shot several times, but is still alive. According to the Associated Press, Hasan is on a ventilator and still unconscious.
In Memory:
COMMUNITY PRAYER VIGIL Central Christian Church 1301 Trimmier, Killeen Friday at 6 p.m.
"The Texas family suffered a significant loss today with the tragedy at Fort Hood," Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday.
"To honor those who lost their lives today, I have ordered that all Texas flags be lowered to half-staff until Sunday, and ask all Texans to pray for the victims, their families and the extended Fort Hood community." Friday afternoon, President Barack Obama extended the order to flags across the United States.
As the closest level-one trauma center, several victims of Fort Hood's mass shooting were taken to Scott and White Hospital. The hospital was on lockdown as a safety precaution for staff and parents.
Friday morning, officials released information about the 10 victims under their care.
Outside of the base, military personnel and other Fort Hood residents waited for word.
"All the patients in the intensive care unit are stable. However, all of those are seriously injured, and some of them are quite seriously injured," Dr. Roy Smythe said.
The center was open Friday and accepting donations. To find out more about donating blood, please call Scott and White Healthcare at (254) 724-4376.
Volunteer mental healthcare professionals established a counseling center at the Killeen Community Center at 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd. for families affected by the tragedy.
Earlier Friday, President Obama spoke about the incident before a speech about the economy held in the Rose Garden.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Fort Hood News 8's Jenna Hiller gives us the latest report from Fort Hood. Wounded Update News 8's Bonnie Gonzalez gives the latest information from Scott and White Memorial Hospital. Statements from Fort Hood Fort Hood spokesman Colonel John Rossi issues a statement and takes questions about the shootings.
Mr. Obama said the entire nation is grieving over Fort Hood, and ordered federal flags flown at half staff.
"We will continue to offer resources to the community with the full resources of the federal government. In the meantime I would ask all American to keep the men and women of Fort Hood in your thoughts and prayers. We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident," he said.
"As Commander in Chief there is no greater honor and 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, so we are going to stay on this," he said.
Virtual Memorial:
News 8 is building a virtual memorial page for the fallen soldiers. To leave your comments, please email comments@news8austin.com. Please include your name, location and rank (if applicable).
Mr. Obama also said he is working with federal officials to ensure security at the post. He also cautioned people about jumping to conclusions.
Vice President Joe Biden issued this statement at the time of the shootings, "Jill and I join the President and Michelle in expressing our sympathies to the families of the brave soldiers who fell today. We are all praying for those who were wounded and hoping for their full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the entire Fort Hood community as they deal with this senseless tragedy."
Members of the Muslim community of Central Texas also released a statement Thursday night in response to the shootings.
Authorities arrive on scene as events unfold.
"Under no circumstances - religious, political, or social - can such an act be justified or tolerated," the statement read. "Central Texas Muslims stand with their neighbors and join scores of other local and national Muslim organizations in offering prayers for the victims, condolences to their families, and assistance where needed."
The statement continued, "The Central Texas Muslim community includes many veterans and active-duty personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces, and countless other Muslims have served in the U.S. military with distinction and honor. We call on all Central Texans to come together at this time and emphasize our common values, respect for the law, and duty to our country."
Up until the Virginia Tech Massacre of April, 2007, the most deadly shooting rampage in U.S. history was the Luby's Cafeteria Massacre in Killeen, Texas.
George Jo Hennard drove his pick-up truck into a Luby's Cafeteria and then shot and killed 23 people, wounding another 20. He then committed suicide by shooting himself.
All 23 fatalities were from central Texas.
As a reaction to this massacre, Texas Legislature passed a "shall-issue" gun law in 1995 which required that all qualifying applicants be issued a Concealed Handgun License, removing the personal discretion of the issuing authority to deny such licenses.
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President Barack Obama signed a proclamation Friday honoring the victims of the Fort Hood tragedy.
Read the official proclamation below:
Our Nation's thoughts and prayers are with the service members, civilians and families affected by the tragic events at Fort Hood, Texas.
The brave victims, who risked their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, serve as a constant source of strength and inspiration to all Americans.
We ask God to watch over the fallen, the wounded, and all those who are suffering at this difficult hour.
As a mark of respect honoring the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
In Witness Wherof, I have here unto set my hand this sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
The City of Austin plans to have the Nueces Bike Boulevard opened by late spring. The boulevard would be a multi-use path where car traffic is discouraged. How do you feel about this?
I think this is a great idea, we need more roads like this
