Local ties to Fort Hood

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A shooting rampage took place on an American military base Thursday, leaving at least twelve people dead and 31 wounded.

The Army originally said that the shooter was killed in the rampage, but we've recently learned that he is very much alive. The Army now says Major Malik Nidal Hasan is in stable condition. They aren't saying why they thought Hasan was dead, only that there was some confusion at the hospital.

Now, we're learning more about Hasan. Military officials say he was a psychiatrist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six years before being transferred to the Texas base in July. Hasan worked at Fort Hood as a psychiatrist and drug rehab specialist.

Federal law enforcement officials say that Hasan had come to their attention at least six months earlier after he wrote internet postings discussing suicide bombings and other threats. Officials say they're still trying to confirm that Hasan was the author of those postings.

As soon as the shooting broke out, sirens sounded, and Fort Hood went into lock-down.

President Barack Obama was briefed on the shooting and casualties, many of whom are believed to be soldiers. The wounded have gone to several hospitals in the area.

Now, many in the military community are wondering how something like this could happen.

Fort Hood is the world's largest military installation, and those stationed there have family connections all across the United States, including West Michigan. All of those family members are now wanting to know if their loved ones are safe.

Newschannel 3 spoke to one family nervously awaiting that call.

Joyce Minor has two sons in the Army, Sgt. Anthony Wright lives in Cadillac, and Sgt. Robert Hulbert is stationed in Fort Hood.

“I pray a lot, all the time my boys were in Iraq,” said Minor. “I didn't watch the news, they said 'if it's something you gotta know mom, we'll get a hold of you.”

Her son Robert has always kept that promise.

“He contacted me, he keeps in contact, he's a really good boy, boy, he's 23,” said Minor.

When Minor learned of the deadly shooting at Fort Hood, her phone didn't ring, so she started making calls.

“I can't get a hold of anybody, it was like, okay, nice,” said Minor.

Hulbert was recently married, and his pregnant wife, Cassie, was on base at Fort Hood as well. Minor waiting anxiously for hours to hear from one of them.

“Expected him to call and say everything's fine, give me an update on Cassie and the baby, not this,” said Minor.

Finally Hulbert called, he was off base when the shooting started.

“His group was one of the groups at the Wellness Center where the shooting took place,” said Minor. “He's worried that his soldiers aren't all accounted for because there are so many that have died and so many that are wounded.”

But Hulbert's main concern was for his wife, who was still on base. Minor says the Hulbert was stopped at the gate and not allowed into the base.