Army base gunman remains in coma

Sun Nov 8 2009 07:20:13

The army psychiatrist behind a shooting spree in the US which left 13 people dead remains in a coma, frustrating efforts to work out what motivated him to kill.

Medics describe Major Nidal Malik Hasan as being in a critical but stable condition, while many of his victims continue to fight for their lives in hospital.

Witnesses are said to have heard the 39-year-old cry "Allahu Akbar" - Arabic for "God is great" - before opening fire at the sprawling Fort Hood military base in Texas.

US authorities are examining his alleged links to extremist Islamic websites.

Hasan, a devout American-born Muslim, was shot several times in the aftermath of the rampage by a female civilian police officer, who has been hailed a hero by military chiefs.

Lieutenant General Bob Cone said Sgt Kimberly Munley and her partner responded rapidly to reports of gunfire, disabling the suspect despite being shot herself in the process.

"It was an amazing and an aggressive performance by this police officer," the military spokesman said.

Shortly before her arrival, Hasan - armed with two pistols - entered an area used to prepare soldiers for deployment overseas and started firing.

Within minutes, 12 soldiers and a civilian at the base were dead or dying and at least 30 others were injured.

President Obama has urged Americans to wait to hear the full facts, saying: "We don't know all the answers yet, and I would caution against jumping to conclusions."

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.