By William Wan
Ezeddine Benyedder was one of the few people at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, Md., who grew to be close to Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan during his time at the Mosque. He spoke with The Post as he was walking into the mosque for noon prayers.

Benyedder, 51 and also of Silver Spring, said there were no signs of anger or frustration from Hasan during his years at the mosque. But after he heard about what Hasan is alleged to have done, his mind turned back to a presentation Hasan gave to a few Muslim brothers in the library of the community center. It was a computer presentation that Hasan had been preparing to give to his superiors in the Army, but he wanted to ask his Muslim brothers for advice before delivering it.

Part of the presentation included the argument that the Army should release a soldier from duty if his religion prevented him from fulling acts ordered by the Army.

"He showed me this presentation on a CD, asking our our opinion, 'Is this okay? Is this right?'" said Benyedder.

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1:22 p.m. Two civilian officers shot Hasan
By Greg Jaffe
FORT HOOD, Texas -- It took police about four minutes to arrive at the scene of the shooting after the 911 call, said Col. John Rossi, a deputy commander at the base.

Sgt. Kimberly Munley and Mark Todd, both of whom are Army civilian police, arrived at the scene of the shooting as Hasan was fleeing the the building, said an officer who witnessed the shooting. Hasan fired his weapon, hitting Munley in the thigh.

Hasan began to fumble with his gun. "He's reloading," someone screamed, according to an officer on the scene.

As he was reloading, Todd and Munley both fired their weapons, downing Hasan, said Rossi.

An officer on the scene stripped off his belt and used it as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding from Munley's thigh.

By Garance Franke-Ruta

12:43 p.m. Hasan, before the shooting
CNN reports on video of Maj. Nidal Hasan captured by a convenience store camera early on the morning of the shooting:

12:33 p.m Obama to attend service for the slain
Scott Wilson reports: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama will attend a memorial service at Fort Hood for those killed in the shooting, once one is scheduled.

12:03 p.m. Obama orders flags flown at half-staff
Speaking at the Rose Garden on Friday, President Obama expressed condolences for the victims of Thursday's deadly attack at Fort Hood and their family members, reports The Post's Scott Wilson.

"We don't know all of the answers yet, and I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all of the facts," Obama said. "What we do know is that their families, friends and an entire nation are grieving right now for the valiant men and women who came under attack yesterday in one of the worst mass shootings ever to take place on an American military base."

He said he has ordered the American flag at the White House and all federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day as "a modest tribute" to those who lost their lives as many of them were willing to risk their own lives on missions to wars being fought overseas. "We honor their service and we stand in awe of their sacrifice, and we pray for the safety of those who fight and the families of those who have fallen," Obama said.

Obama also said he met Friday morning with FBI Director Robert S. Mueller for an update on the Fort Hood investigation.

11:53 a.m. More details emerge about shooting and its aftermath
The Post's Greg Jaffe and Rick Rojas report from Fort Hood, Tex.:
In the U.S., all military weapons are locked in arms rooms. Hasan used his own personal handguns in the shooting. Soldiers are permitted to keep privately owned weapons on base as long as they register them. It isn't clear whether Hasan registered his handguns, Army officials said. Soldiers aren't searched as they leave or enter base.

Shots rang out at the readiness center for as long as 30 minutes, said soldiers, who described the fire as continuous, methodical and well aimed. When the shooting stopped, Hasan was carried out and laid on the ground in front of the center with some of the other severely wounded.

Medics pulled off his camouflage top and began to treat his wounds, said Sgt. Andrew Hagerman, a military police soldier at the scene. Hasan and three other badly wounded soldiers were flown by helicopter immediately to the main hospital in nearby Temple, Tex.

Initially, soldiers loaded their wounded colleagues, some of whom had been shot multiple times, into cars and sped them to the hospital about one mile away.

"It was very moving. They were carrying their wounded buddies into the emergency room," said Janet DiPalma, a nurse at the facility. Some troops had ripped off their camouflage tops and even fashioned T-shirts into makeshift bandages and tourniquets, said Sgt. Howard Appleby, who had gone to the hospital to meet with a psychiatrist for PTSD and quickly found himself helping with the wounded.

"It was just like being back in Iraq," he said.

Many of the doctors and nurses at the hospital had served in Iraq and had dealt with similar mass casualty attacks.

Most of the wounded had been shot two or three times in the chest, stomach or neck, said Maj. Stephen Beckwith, a doctor at Fort Hood. "I was in Iraq for 15 months. When you are in Iraq you are prepared for this to happen."

Several of the wounded soldiers lay on their stretchers and prayed. Others asked for cellphones to call their spouses and let them know they were wounded. "It was a lot of rounds fired," said Beckwith. "It was hard to imagine one person did all that shooting."

11:48 a.m. No problems with care Hasan gave
The Post's Greg Jaffe and Rick Rojas report from Fort Hood, Tex.:
The deputy commander for clinical services at Fort Hood, who was Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's boss, said that he went through a peer review in which his fellow doctors found no fault with the care he was providing.

"He was a dedicated hard-working provider who did really care for his patients," said Col. Kimberly Kesling, the deputy commander. "Sometimes people have demons we don't know about and make bad choices. ... People who take care of people with problems can develop problems of their own. "

11:15 a.m. The Facebook outpouring of support begins
A Facebook group has already popped up in support of the civilian Army police officer who stopped the rampage at Fort Hood. "Sgt. Kimberly Munley: A Real American Hero!" has 150 members.

"She is in the hospital recovering from her wounds. We can all leave her messages of gratitude along with 'get well' wishes on this page. Let us keep her as well as all those involved in our prayers!" write the group's administrators.

Another group, "God Bless SGT Kimberly Munley," is aggregating information about the wounded Fort Hood officer -- and growing rapidly.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to SGT Kimberly Munley...I personaly feel that this brave and courageous Officer deservs the highest honor that can be bestowed on a civillan...God blees you SGT Kimberly Munley and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery..." wrote Mark Campbell on the group's wall.

11:00 a.m.,11:26 a.m. Her name is Kimberly Munley
Last night, we heard the story of a heroic female police officer who returned fire on the suspected gunman and stopped his rampage. Today, we learn her name.

Fort Hood police Sgt. Kimberly Munley and her partner responded within three minutes of the report of gunfire, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone told reporters Friday. Munley shot the gunman four times, despite being shot herself, Cone said. She was in stable condition on Friday. "It was an amazing and an aggressive performance," Cone said.

CNN has a picture of her here; Cone identified her on CNN's "American Morning," below.

10:21 a.m. Suspect's apartment searched, computer seized
The Associated Press is reporting that "Federal authorities have seized the suspected Fort Hood shooter's computer" and that "Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's apartment in Killeen, Texas, was searched early Friday."

Earlier, KKXV News Channel 25 in Texas reported that "the bomb squad arrived just after 10:00 p.m. Thursday evening" at Hasan's apartment. "They examined the apartment using a bomb-defusing robot. Soon after, the all clear was given and detectives swarmed the apartment. Neighbors told News Channel 25 that Thursday Morning, Hasan was giving away all of his furniture and copies of the Qu' ran. They said Hasan was supposed to deploy in the coming days."

10:15 a.m. Obama will deliver Rose Garden remarks, visit Walter Reed
President Obama is scheduled to deliver remarks in the Rose Garden at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, The Post's Scott Wilson reports. White House aides said his topic will be the unemployment numbers, but they said he might also address the situation at Fort Hood.

President Obama will visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

8:43 a.m. Did suspect shout "Allahu akbar"?
Matt Lauer spoke with Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the commanding officer at Fort Hood, Friday morning on NBC's "Today" show about the shooting rampage that killed 13 people and wounded 30 others at the Texas military base.

Cone, the base commander, was asked whether the gunman yelled "Allahu Akhbar," or "God is great," as he was shooting. Cone said, "There are firsthand accounts here from soldiers that are similar to that."

We are starting to receive reports from victims' conditions, from family members. Here's the latest, from reporter Ed O'Keefe:

Jamie Casteel, mother-in-law of victim Matthew Cooke, 30, said, "All we know is that he's awake, and alert and in a lot of pain." Matthew's wife, Sarah, saw him last evening, Casteel said.

"All I know is that they're still screening who goes into the hospital, and [Sarah is] it so far," for visitors to see Cooke, Casteel said.

Cooke returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq in April, and was transferred to Fort Hood in August. The Cookes live off-base. Cooke was at the Readiness Station on Thursday for a blood test, Casteel said. His unit will deploy again to Iraq in January, but Cooke is not expected to head there until March or April, she said.

Casteel drove to the hospital last evening from her home in Oklahoma.

Here is a statement by Nader Hasan, cousin of Nidal Hasan, e-mailed from a spokeswoman for the family:

"As Nidal Hasan's first cousin, and because his parents are no longer alive, I wanted to issue a statement on behalf of my family. We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events at Fort Hood today. We send the families of the victims our most heartfelt sympathies.

We, like most of America, know very few details at this time. Here is what we do know about our cousin. Nidal was an American citizen. He was born in Arlington, Virginia, and raised here in America. He attended local high schools and eventually went on to attend Virginia Tech.

We are filled with grief for the families of today's victims. Our family loves America. We are proud of our country, and saddened by today's tragedy. Because this situation is still unfolding, we have nothing else that we are able to share with you at this time."

A morning press conference is underway now at Fort Hood, led by Col. John G. Rossi. Here's what authorities have told reporters so far:

-- The total number of dead is 13 and 28 are still hospitalized.

-- The alleged shooter, Nidal Hasan, is alive and on a ventilator at a civilian hospital. The police officer who officials believe shot Hasan is in "stable" condition.

-- Officials are working to notify all family members of those killed or wounded and say they are 90 percent there. They asked for privacy on behalf of family members as they complete the task.

--The base reopened at 9 p.m. yesterday, but officials said that the base remains on a "heightened level of security," although they said they are confident about the security of the base.

--Officials continue to believe Hasan was the lone gunman and that he acted alone. They said they did not want to speculate on a motive.

-- Before the press conference, Army Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the base commander, this morning was asked on NBC's "Today" show whether the gunman yelled "Allahu Akhbar," or "God is great," as he was shooting. Cone said, "There are firsthand accounts here from soldiers that are similar to that."

By Garance Franke-Ruta

9:15 p.m. Hasan alive, death toll at 12
Army Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said at a news conference in Fort Hood that the suspected shooter, Maj. Hasan, remains alive, hospitalized in stable condition and in custody. The death toll remains 12 slain and 31 injured.

8:59 p.m., 9:27 p.m. AP: Internet postings drew attention
The Associated Post is reporting that the "Fort Hood suspect drew attention of authorities 6 mos. ago for Internet posts." Citing a federal law enforcement official, the AP also says the writings were never conclusively linked to him and "an official investigation was not opened."

The name is not uncommon: On Facebook there are three Nidal Hasans and more than 30 Malik Hasans.

One Web post the AP reports authorities reviewed came from a Nidal Hasan who compared the acts of an American solider throwing himself on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers to the acts of suicide bombers: "To say that this soldier committed suicide is inappropriate. Its more appropriate to say he is a brave hero that sacrificed his life for a more noble cause. Scholars have paralled this to suicide bombers whose intention, by sacrificing their lives, is to help save Muslims by killing enemy soldiers. If one suicide bomber can kill 100 enemy soldiers because they were caught off guard that would be considered a strategic victory. ... You can call them crazy i you want but their act was not one of suicide that is despised by Islam."

8:01 p.m. Video from inside Fort Hood


The Department of Defense has released video taken inside Fort Hood in Texas as authorities moved in on the shooter or shooters there. The Army says at least 12 people were killed and more than 30 wounded at the base. (Video/Department of Defense/The Associated Press)

7:59 p.m. Former colleague says Hasan upset about Afghanistan war
Col. Terry Lee, who says he worked with Major Nidal Malik Hasan, spoke with FOX News Channel's Shepard Smith on Fox New Channel's "Fox Report" about the alleged gunman's views.

"He said, maybe the Muslims should stand up and fight against the aggressor, at first we thought he was talking about how Muslims should stand up and help the armed forces in Iraq and in Afghanistan, but apparently that wasn't the case," Col. Lee said. "He would make comments to other individuals about how we should not be in the war in the first place."

"He was hoping that President Obama would pull troops out..." Lee said. "When things weren't going that way he became more agitated, more frustrated with the conflicts over there...he made his views well known about how he felt about the US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan."

7:42 p.m. Secretary Gates issues statement
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic events today at Fort Hood," said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in an evening statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen, the wounded, and all those touched by this incident. There is little we can say at this point to alleviate the pain or answer the many questions this event raises, but I can pledge that the Department of Defense will do everything in its power to help the Fort Hood community get through these difficult times."

7:15 p.m. Suspect pictured at Center for Traumatic Stress

Nidal Hasan pictured at the Center for Traumatic Stress. A second page on the group's Web site, which is overloaded, describes him as having his primary practice at Fort Hood, Texas. (Screen capture/Anna Uhls/The Washington Post)

7:03 Reports from the local news stations
You can follow reports Central Texas and Army news sources tweeting from the ground in Killeen on the shooting through this Twitter list compiled by The Post: http://twitter.com/#list/washingtonpost/forthood

6:52 p.m. Adm. Mullen Tweets
Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tweets from @thejointstaff: "Deeply saddened by the shooting @ Fort Hood. My thoughts & prayers w/ wounded, families of those killed, & all @ Ft. Hood.'

6:40 p.m. Fort Hood congressman offers condolences
The office of Rep. John Carter (R), whose district includes Fort Hood, has been in touch with base officials to stay updated on the situation, reports The Post's Ben Pershing.

"We offer up our sincerest condolences to the soldiers and their families," Carter said. "I know this is a great loss for the Fort Hood family and we're praying for all those involved."

6:29 p.m. Biden says the wounded are in his prayers
"Jill and I join the President and Michelle in expressing our sympathies to the families of the brave soldiers who fell today," vice president Biden said in a statement. "We are all praying for those who were wounded and hoping for their full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the entire Fort Hood community as they deal with this senseless tragedy."

6:26 p.m. U.S. Army tweeting updates on the shooting
The official U.S. Army Twitter feed is providing updates on the shooting.

People at Fort Hood can list themselves as being safe and sounds on a site being maintained by the American Red Cross, diastersafe, the Army notes, and also check for the names of loved ones there.

The main gate at the U.S. Army post at Fort Hood, Texas is pictured in
this undated photograph, obtained on November 5, 2009. At least seven
people were killed and 12 wounded in a shooting at the Fort Hood U.S.
Army base on Thursday, local media reported. (REUTERS/III Corps Public
Affairs/U.S. Army/Handout)

6:15 p.m. Alleged gunman identified as Major Nidal Malik Hasan
The suspected shooter has been identified as as U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, according to one federal source, who spoke anonymously to The Post's Carrie Johnson because the probe is unfolding.

6:06 p.m. The Fort Carson cluster
Fort Hood is the largest military installation in the country, but until Thursday afternoon Fort Carson, Colo., was the base that had drawn most public attention for violent acts committed by troops.

After eight homicides in 12 months were allegedly committed by six soldiers from units at Fort Carson, the U.S. Army launched a task force in Oct. 2008 to investigate the "apparent clustering of violent behavior at Fort Carson, Colorado."

In July, 2009, the Army released its findings (PDF). The Colorado Springs Gazette followed up with a special series on violence by soldiers stationed at the base that characterized the findings as: "Most Fort Carson soldiers who came home from war to commit murder had lives that were broken by combat stress, mental illness and drug and alcohol problems."

The series can be read here:

• "Fort Carson report: Combat stress contributed to soldiers' crimes back home"

• "Casualties of War, Part I: The hell of war comes home"

• "Casualties of War, Part II: Warning signs"

By Michael D. Shear
After making his comments about the shooting, President Obama cut short his afternoon appearance at the Tribal Nations Conference, which he addressed earlier in the morning. The president did not deliver broader remarks that had been planned for the closing of the conference, instead returning quickly to the White House.

By Carrie Johnson
The Fort Hood shooting follows by months an incident outside a Little Rock, Ark., military recruiting center in which one soldier was killed and another wounded in June 2009.

Authorities said Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, who has been charged with multiple felony crimes in connection with the Little Rock attack, acted alone after converting to Islam and changing his name as an adult. He has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Muhammed had traveled to Yemen before the shooting, where he emerged on the radar of a Joint Terrorism Task Force. Local police said that he was motivated in part by political and religious fervor.

President Obama's full remarks on the Fort Hood shooting, delivered at the closing of the White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Department of the Interior in Washington, follow:

As some of you might have heard, there has been a tragic shooting at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. We don't yet know all the details at this moment. We will share them as we get them.

What we do know is that a number of American soldiers have been killed, and even more have been wounded in a horrific outburst of violence.

My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and with the families of the fallen and with those who live and serve at Fort Hood.

These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis. 

It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas.

It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.

I've spoken to Secretary Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, and I will continue to receive a constant stream of updates as new information comes in.

We are working with the Pentagon, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, all to ensure that Fort Hood is secure and we will continue to support the community with the full resources of the federal government.

In the meantime, I would ask all Americans to keep the men and women of Fort Hood in your thoughts and prayers. We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident, and I want all of you to know that as commander-in-chief, there's no greater honor, but also no greater responsibility for me than to make sure that the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for an that their safety and security when they are at home is provided for.

So we are going to stay on this, but I hope in the meantime that all of you recognize the scope of this tragedy and keep everybody in their thoughts and prayers. Again, thank you for your participation here today. I am confident that this is going to be resulting in terrific work between this government and your governments in the weeks, the months and years to come.

God bless you and God bless the United States of America.