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At Fort Hood, Pain, Questions

The Army town of Killeen struggles to understand the tragedy

By Kate Schwartz,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 6, 2009 8:30 AM CST
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(Newser) – An Army community painfully accustomed to death on foreign shores, Killeen's 86,000 residents are struggling to understand this very different kind of tragedy. "I kind of thought after 9/11, it was only a matter of time before there was a terrorist attack here," Sharon Gregory, who lives a few blocks from Fort Hood, tells the Austin American-Statesman. "I almost wish it had been."

Beverley Clark wipes away tears following a prayer for the victims of a shooting at the Army base Fort Hood as she watches television for updates at the Survivor Outreach Services building in Fort Hood.
Beverley Clark wipes away tears following a prayer for the victims of a shooting at the Army base Fort Hood as she watches television for updates at the Survivor Outreach Services building in Fort Hood.   (AP Photo/Killeen Daily Herald, Steven Doll)
Soldiers are seen at rear as Jamie Casteel, left, front, and her husband Scotty, right, of Duncan, Okla., stand outside the emergency room waiting to hear news of their son-in-law, U.S. Army soldier Matthew Cooke, who was injured in the shooting.
Soldiers are seen at rear as Jamie Casteel, left, front, and her husband Scotty, right, of Duncan, Okla., stand outside the emergency room waiting to hear news of their son-in-law, U.S. Army soldier Matthew...   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Staff Sgt. Fanuaee Vea, 32, comforts Savannah Green, 23, outside the main gate after a shooting at Fort Hood, Texas on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.
Staff Sgt. Fanuaee Vea, 32, comforts Savannah Green, 23, outside the main gate after a shooting at Fort Hood, Texas on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/The Waco Tribune-Herald, Jerry Larson)
Police respond at the scene.
Police respond at the scene.   (AP Photo/APTN)
Federal agents search the apartment of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan in Killeen, Texas, early Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.
Federal agents search the apartment of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan in Killeen, Texas, early Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
A Federal agent stands in the door of the the apartment of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan in Killeen, Texas.
A Federal agent stands in the door of the the apartment of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan in Killeen, Texas.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
People from the local community line the Scott and White Memorial Hospital hallways in Temple Texas to donate blood shortly after an emergency blood drive was put into action.
People from the local community line the Scott and White Memorial Hospital hallways in Temple Texas to donate blood shortly after an emergency blood drive was put into action.
Gold Star family members, who are family members who have lost a solider in action, Survivor Outreach Services staff members, and soldiers watch the news on TV Thursday.
Gold Star family members, who are family members who have lost a solider in action, Survivor Outreach Services staff members, and soldiers watch the news on TV Thursday.   (AP Photo/Steven Doll - Killeen Daily Herald)
Sgt. Anthony Sills, right, comforts his wife as they wait outside the Fort Hood Army Base; their 3-year old son was in lock-down in daycare on the base.
Sgt. Anthony Sills, right, comforts his wife as they wait outside the Fort Hood Army Base; their 3-year old son was in lock-down in daycare on the base.   (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)
The sun sets as the media wait for a briefing on the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.
The sun sets as the media wait for a briefing on the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Monica Cain, 44, wipes her eye as she tries to get in touch with her husband Sgt. Darren Cain who was stationed at Fort Hood.
Monica Cain, 44, wipes her eye as she tries to get in touch with her husband Sgt. Darren Cain who was stationed at Fort Hood.   (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Jerry Larson)
This undated image taken from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Fall 2007 newsletter shows Nidal Malik Hasan.
This undated image taken from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Fall 2007 newsletter shows Nidal Malik Hasan.   (AP Photo/ Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)
Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment storm the grounds of the Soldier Readiness Center in a show of force as they help in the apprehension of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.
Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment storm the grounds of the Soldier Readiness Center in a show of force as they help in the apprehension of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.   (AP Photo/David Morris, Killeen Daily Herald)
Volunteers waiting in line to donate blood look up at a television as an announcement is made that a suspected gunman in the Fort Hood mass shooting was still alive.
Volunteers waiting in line to donate blood look up at a television as an announcement is made that a suspected gunman in the Fort Hood mass shooting was still alive.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Emergency personnel transport an unidentified soldier from the Soldier Readiness Center following the shooting.
Emergency personnel transport an unidentified soldier from the Soldier Readiness Center following the shooting.   (AP Photo/Killeen Daily Herald, David Morris)
This satellite image provided shows the Soldier Readiness Center building, the white octagonal building at center, at Fort Hood, Texas where Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly opened fire.
This satellite image provided shows the Soldier Readiness Center building, the white octagonal building at center, at Fort Hood, Texas where Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly opened fire.   (AP Photo/GeoEye)
US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison speaks to the media at Fort Hood.
US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison speaks to the media at Fort Hood.   (Getty Images)
Soldiers and civilians stand on the back patio of the Soldier Readiness Center at the Fort Hood Army post as the sun begins to set on the scene where Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan Hasan opened fire.
Soldiers and civilians stand on the back patio of the Soldier Readiness Center at the Fort Hood Army post as the sun begins to set on the scene where Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan Hasan opened fire.   (AP Photo/David Morris, Killeen Daily Herald)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
hamsammichs
Nov 7, 2009 4:52 AM CST
To lose a family member in such a senseless tragedy must be beyond difficult. My heart goes out to those families, may they find justice at some point in time.
citygirl
Nov 6, 2009 2:42 AM CST
Well said. Very tragic...
Doctor-Zaius
Nov 6, 2009 2:38 AM CST
My heart goes out to these soldiers and their families. It’s bad enough to think of your loved ones in harms way when they are across an ocean in a foreign war-zone but to lose someone while they are at a base in the US in this way, tragedy is not strong enough of a word…

 
US Army • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan

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