Fort Hood suspect cried Allahu Akbar say witnesses

The motive for the deadly Fort Hood shooting rampage that has left America reeling is still unclear.

But eyewitnesses say suspected gunman Nidal Malik Hasan shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ or ‘God is great’ before opening fire at the military base in Texas.
Thirteen people have died from gunshot wounds. Around 30 more were injured.

All eyes are now on US Major Hasan, an army psychiatrist thought to be behind what President Obama has called an “horrific outburst of violence.”

Colleagues say there were no warning signs at work.

“We had no problems with job performance while he was working with us,” said Colonel Steven Braverman.

But as investigators searched the apartment of the US-born Muslim, who is lying injured in hospital, a different picture has emerged. Reports say he was due to be deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, something he strongly opposed, say relatives. And it is claimed he had suffered racial harassment because of his family’s Middle Eastern origins.

As casualties were treated in hospital, Sergeant Miguel Alamo said: “I am still in shock…. It still has not really hit me yet. You know, I can’t believe it. I can’t believe something like this would happen, especially back here, when we are home, you know. Things like that are not supposed to happen.”

The wounds will take time to heal and it is feared that Muslim American soldiers could now face prejudice and suspicion.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Attack, Military, USA