Obama orders Fort Hood shooting probe
Published: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:00
An intelligence investigation has been ordered by US president Barack Obama into how agencies handled information about the man suspected of killing 13 people at an army base. Major Nidal Malik Hasan has been charged with 13 counts of murder following the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, last week, which left over 30 others wounded. The army major, who remains under armed guard in hospital, was understood to have been in contact with a cleric sympathetic to al-Qaida some time before the shooting.
The FBI has admitted Major Hasan, a US-born Muslim, was in contact with the cleric on ten to 20 occasions. Despite this, it was decided he was not a threat and did not warrant further investigation.
"I directed an immediate inventory be conducted of all intelligence in US government files that existed prior to November 6th 2009, relevant to the tragic shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, especially anything having to do with the alleged shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, US Army," Mr Obama said in a statement. Speculation has been rife as to what instigated the attack at the US's largest military base. Some reports say Hasan was unhappy about a possible deployment to Afghanistan, while others suspect terrorist links.
A family member of the 39-year-old major yesterday told Sky News he was unable to "separate his emotions from his job". "The authorities must investigate if the military failed to help him when he needed help," the relative added.
Go to News Headlines
Add our news to your site
Be the first to comment
Add your comments
Other News
Articles by month
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Popular : |
| |
| | |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
