US seeks clues to army base massacre

The US is still trying to understand the reasons behind the deadly mass shooting at the Fort Hood military facility in Texas.

Visitors and families joined servicemen and women for a vigil in memory of the 13 people murdered in Thursday night’s rampage.

Personnel at the base are struggling to make sense of what has happened.

‘‘When we are in Iraq or any other country, stuff like this is almost expected to happen, but here at home, it is like somebody tore all our hearts out and stomped on them,’‘ one serviceman said.

‘‘What comes next is his trial. He is going to have to face repercussions for his actions. Personally, I am happy he is not dead so we can find out why he did it. And so he can be punished rightfully and not have the easy way out, death,’‘ another man said.

The main suspect, US-born Muslim Major Nidal Malik Hasan, remains in a coma in hospital after being shot four times.

Investigators have searched the 39-year-old psychiatrist’s apartment for any clue to the attack.
For those who knew him, the reason still remains a mystery.

‘‘He called me Wednesday night, Wednesday morning, rather Thursday morning about five o’clock, and he said, ‘Well, good friend, nice being your friend and nice knowing you,’‘ a friend of Hasan said.

President Barack Obama has urged caution against jumping to any conclusions over the horrific shooting with fears there could be a backlash against Arab and Muslim Americans.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Military, shootings, USA