The AP is saying the shooter survived and will likely recover. Friendly fire could have contributed to the high casualty rate during the confusion. The Guardian has more on current theories behind the terrible event.
An aide to Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Texas senator who was briefed by generals about the incident, said she had been told Hasan was upset about the deployment at the end of the year. Family and fellow officers said that he complained of harassment by other troops about his Middle Eastern ethnicity and Muslim background.
Virginia-born Hasan opened fire with two handguns at the base's soldier readiness centre, where troops were having equipment checks, dental treatment and other last-minute preparations before being flown to Iraq.
Last night the suspected killer's cousin told Fox News in America that Hasan's duties had involved helping soldiers after they had returned from duty overseas.
