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Moment of Silence for Ft. Hood Victims

Posted - November 06, 2009 10:15pm

WASHINGTON - Friday, there was a mid-day moment of silence in a community stunned by violence. Flags flew at half-staff Friday across the country to honor the 13 killed Thursday at Fort Hood. "This was a kick in the gut, not only for the Fort Hood community but for an entire Army," said Army Chief of Staff George Case. The alleged gunman is 39-year-old Major Nidal Hasan. Eyewitnesses say the psychiatrist shouted "Allahu Akbar" before opening fire with two weapons. "According to the captain I was treating, he was sitting down and he just stood up out of nowhere and started to unload a weapon," stated Sgt. Rico Sanchez. Friday, investigators examined Hasan's apartment and his computer to try and determine a motive for the mass killing. Hasan is a Muslim who recently complained of being harassed because of his faith. He was about to be deployed to Iraq, something he had feared since 9-11. Among the dead at Fort Hood are soldier Francheska Velez, who returned recently from Iraq because she was pregnant. Velez's cousin Jennifer said, "I just want everybody to know that she's a wonderful person and didn't deserve to lose her life...And I know she's with us." Another victim is 21-year-old Michael Person, who joined the Army less than a year ago. "It's ridiculous. It's unfathomable. I don't even know. It hasn't sunk in yet that its happened. I couldn't imagine something like that going on," said Kris Craig, the victim's brother. Memorial services are now being planned for the victims. President Obama plans to attend the services. Hasan has been transferred to a hospital in San Antonio. He is in a coma and is listed in critical condition.

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