Fort Hood Shootings ‘Horrific’: Barack Obama

WASHINGTON: Fort Hood Shootings ‘Horrific’: Barack Obama, US President Barack Obama called a shooting attack at the Fort Hood military base in Texas Thursday a “horrific outburst of violence.”

Speaking in Washington, Obama said details of the incident were still unclear.

“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,” he said.

At least 12 people were killed and 31 wounded at the military facility after up to three gunmans opened fire, military officials said.

Obama offered his “thoughts and prayers” to the families of the victims.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Obama said he had spoken to both Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and would receive “a constant stream of updates.”

Information about the perpetrators of the attack and their motives remained unclear but Obama pledged: “We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident.”