A US army psychiatrist has gone on a shooting spree at America’s largest military installation.

As many as 12 people have been killed with 31 injured. The suspected gunman, named as Major Nidal Malik Hasan was armed with two hand guns and burst into a readiness centre at Fort Hood in Texas. He then opened fire on soldiers undergoing final medical checks before their deployment to Afghanistan. He was shot by security personnel and is undergoing treatment in hospital. President Obama spoke about the carnage, saying: “My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and with the families of the fallen and with those who live and serve at Fort Hood. These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis. It’s difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas. It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.” The alleged gunman worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre before being transferred to Fort Hood in July. He was trained in Disaster and Preventative Psychiatry and recently expressed deep concerns about being shipped out to Iraq or Afghanistan. Ford Hood is home to some 60,000 military and civilian personnel.More about: Military, Shootings, USA

Copyright © 2012 euronews