General

U.S. soldier opens fire at military base (Updated)

Twelve killed, 31 injured in shooting rampage

At least seven people were killed and 12 injured in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base in Texas. No details of the incident have been released, though one gunman is reportedly in custody, while another remains on the loose. KCEN, an affiliate of NBC News, reports that a policeman was among the seven shot. Fort Hood, located some 60 miles northeast of Austin, is home base to 4,929 active duty officers and 45,414 enlisted. The base also employs nearly 9,000 civil employees. Unconfirmed reports suggest that one of the shooters, armed with a high-powered rifle, was being surrounded by police. The base is on lockdown, as are nearby schools.

Update: The U.S Army has confirmed 12 people were killed and another 31 injured when a soldier opened fire at the Fort Hood base in Texas. The victims include both military staff and civilians. The gunman has since been shot and killed, while two others suspected of aiding the attack are in custody. A senior Obama administration official says there is no evidence to suggest the shootings were part of an organized plot against Fort Hood. Commenting on the incident from Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama said, “It’s difficult enough when we lose these great Americans in battles overseas. It’s horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.”

MSNBC

Associated Press

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