Tragedy at Fort Hood

Investigators are trying to determine what led gunmen to open fire on U.S. service members at Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, Texas on Thursday. At least a dozen people were killed and as many as 20 were injured in the shooting rampage.

News sources reported that one gunman had been killed in a shoot-out and two other suspects had been taken into custody. Later reports identified the gunman as Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, and the army confirmed that the suspect was not dead, as previously reported, but instead alive and in custody. Some news analysts speculated that the incident might be an example of domestic terrorism, but there was no direct evidence to confirm that suspicion late on Thursday.

President Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates were informed of the shooting on Thursday and the president made brief remarks about the tragedy during a speech at the Interior Department. He said his thoughts and prayers were with the wounded and the families of the dead and he reassured Americans that one of his top priorities is to maintain the safety and security of U.S. soldiers at home and abroad.

Fort Hood is located halfway between Austin and Waco, about 60 miles from each. The base hosts one of the largest U.S. military installations in the world and the only two-division post in the U.S.