Michigan connections to Fort Hood

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – The flag atop the White House flew at half-staff Friday on orders from President Obama following Thursday's tragic shooting rampage at Fort Hood.

Shooting suspect Nidal Malik Hasan remains in a coma Friday, but he is expected to live. Hasan is accused of Thursday's shootings which left thirteen people dead and 30 others wounded.

The initial investigation shows that Hasan allegedly only used one gun during the attack, a 5.7 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Army officials say Hasan was carrying another handgun, but never used it.

On Friday Army Chief of Staff, General George Casey, called the shooting "a kick in the gut," not just for Fort Hood but the entire army.

"The Secretary and I are here to assure that Fort Hood has the resources they need to mount a sustained response, because this is going to take awhile," said Gen. Casey. "We want everyone here to know that the full resources of the Army and Department of Defense are behind the men and women of the Fort Hood community."

A moment of silence was held at 2:30 Friday afternoon, exactly 24 hours after the shooting.

White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs said that the president will attend a memorial service for those killed in Thursday's shooting. That service will be scheduled at the convenience of the families involved.

The identity of the alleged shooter is also causing waves. Hasan reportedly yelled 'Allah Akbar,' or God is great, before he began firing, and there have already been a number of people tying Hasan's attack to Muslim extremism.

On Friday, Newschannel 3 spoke to the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Greater Kalamazoo to get their reaction to the shooting.

A spokesperson said "people should not attach a religion to a murderous act. Religion has nothing to do with it. This was a cowardly act, this is totally inexcusable."

The attack has been felt across the country and in Michigan.

Portage native Major Melissa Coleman was at Ford Hood when the shootings happened. She said at first she thought it was a drill.

"We weren't sure what was going on, we heard sirens," said Major Coleman, "most of the times they're a test, don't think you're going to actually have something serious like this."

Michigan's ties to the tragedy extend to one of the wounded. Michigan native Ray Saucedo was one of those who were injured in the rampage. He was shot in the arm.

His wife, Ashley, grew up in Greenville. She says she was put on lock down in her Texas home with her children, and is still trying to come to grips with what happened on American soil.

"Having your husband overseas, you think 'okay, this kind of stuff can happen over there,' but not in the U.S. not at your fort where you're supposed to be safe," said Saucedo.

Saucedo says she has spoken to her husband several times since the attack and that he is doing well. She says that while she was on the base at the time, she first heard about the shooting from a friend who called her and told her to turn on the news.

Fort Hood has set up a family hot line for those who are having trouble getting through to family. Those numbers are 866-836-2751 or 254-288-7570.