Obama addresses Army base shooting
President Obama urged Americans this afternoon to keep the men and women of Fort Hood in their prayers after a "horrific outburst of violence" at the sprawling Army base in Texas.
He said he will make sure all questions will be answered about the shooting rampage at the deployment readiness center. The death toll rose overnight to 13, with 31 wounded. The suspected shooter, an Army major and psychologist, was shot but survived, contrary to early Army reports that he had been killed.
"We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident," the president said.
"It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas. It's horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil," Obama added in a brief statement during remarks he had been previously scheduled to deliver at the close of a summit of Native American leaders. (His full remarks are below.)
UPDATE: Vice President Joe Biden also issued a statement this evening: “Jill and I join the President and Michelle in expressing our sympathies to the families of the brave soldiers who fell today. 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.”
The US House and Senate both observed a moment of silence for the shooting victims.
OBAMA'S REMARKS
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, and 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 and 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.
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