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Months of Clues Missed in Hasan Rampage

Shrink grew increasingly agitated, but superiors didn't act

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 9, 2009 1:32 AM CST | Updated Nov 9, 2009 4:51 AM CST
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(Newser) – Signs that the Fort Hood gunman could snap emerged not just days before his deadly rampage, but months earlier, say witnesses. Major Nidal Malik Hasan bought a gun soon after he arrived at the base last summer, and grew increasingly agitated and vocal over years about his opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The psychiatrist tried desperately to get an early army discharge but was instead about to be shipped out to Afghanistan. "He was obviously upset," said a friend.

Hasan was so conflicted that he delivered a Power Point presentation to students in an environmental health seminar at Walter Reed entitled “Why the War on Terror Is a War on Islam.” The presentation was so disturbing to some that they complained to authorities, reports the New York Times. Yet Hasan's superiors believed he was not a threat. “He swore an oath of loyalty to the military,” said his supervisor. “I didn’t hear anything contrary to those oaths.”

A wreath of roses is seen in the foreground at the apartment complex where Major Nidal Hasan lived. The wreath is in honor of those killed in the Fort Hood rampage.
A wreath of roses is seen in the foreground at the apartment complex where Major Nidal Hasan lived. The wreath is in honor of those killed in the Fort Hood rampage.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
An army chaplain prays with pastors at First Baptist Church in Killeen yesterday following the mass shootings at Fort Hood last week.
An army chaplain prays with pastors at First Baptist Church in Killeen yesterday following the mass shootings at Fort Hood last week.   (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner)
US Army Sgt. Andrew Sobecky bows his head during the singing of Amazing Grace, during a prayer service at First Baptist Church yesterday in Killeen, Texas.
US Army Sgt. Andrew Sobecky bows his head during the singing of "Amazing Grace," during a prayer service at First Baptist Church yesterday in Killeen, Texas.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
bewilderbeast
Nov 11, 2009 3:02 AM CST
Spite? I'd suggest spite. I suspect he was being victimised. And I suspect the deployment to Iraq was part of that. Time will tell.
bewilderbeast
Nov 11, 2009 2:59 AM CST
ah, um, herding goats would be good 3000yrs ago. Maybe really good. Probly owning the goats (and the goatherd) would be better? And when they wrote a book, hey! that was terrific. Well done. I just don't think we need to read it (and certainly not be guided by it) today. ------------------ And chickens in the 80's? That was good. I got nothing against chickens roasted. But if you started telling me what to do based on the Poultry Journal of Alabama or somewhere I'd demur. I'd say, ah, no thanks.
jpsea1
Nov 10, 2009 4:14 AM CST
what bewilderbeasts aid! and all of them!

 
Iraq • Afghanistan • Texas • crime • Muslim • mass shootings • troops • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan

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