4 people killed, at least 16 wounded at Fort Hood military base

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Army's Fort Hood has reported an active shooter to Texas authorities...

Apr 2, 2014

Four people were dead, including the gunman, and at least 16 others were wounded in a shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, military officials told NBC News.

The gunman, identified as Ivan Lopez, 34 — an enlisted soldier — took his own life with a .45-caliber Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol, officials said.

A U.S. military official told NBC News that Lopez was active-duty soldier who was assigned to a Sustainment Brigade.

All of the wounded and killed were also military, according to Lt. General Mark Milley, who spoke to reporters at the base after the shooting.

Milley, who didn’t use Lopez’ name pending family notification, said that the gunman was being evaluated for post traumatic stress disorder, and had self reported a traumatic brain injury.

The soldier had not been wounded in Iraq, but was being treated for behavioral problems, anxiety and “a number of other psychological issues,” according to Milley.

The soldier “put his hands up and then reached under his jacket” when the female officer drew her weapon, Milley said. “He pulled out the gun, and she engaged, and he put the weapon to his head.”

“Experience has taught us many things here at Fort Hood. We know the community is strong …. The soldiers who have served so bravely through the last 13 years in Iraq are strong, and we will get through this.”

Milley said that the shootings didn’t appear to be related to terrorism or radicalism but that nothing had been ruled out so early in the investigation.

The soldier’s body was found in a parking lot near the First Medical Brigade area, Milley said. His weapon had been bought in the area recently and wasn’t registered with the base.

Three other people died in local hospitals, they said.

Doctors at Scott & White Memorial Hospital said they were treating eight patients — seven men and one woman. Three of the patients were said to be in critical and on ventilators, while five others were in serious condition.

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