Washington, November 07: US President Barack Obama led his nation in mourning on Saturday as shocked Americans struggled to understand why a Muslim army doctor killed 13 in a massacre at a US military base.
Alleged shooter Major Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, a psychiatrist and specialist in combat stress who had been about to deploy to Afghanistan against his wishes, also wounded 30 people in Thursday’s rampage.
Speculation swirled at Fort Hood, Texas, as to whether the alleged shooter had snapped under the pressure of his job counselling thousands of war-weary troops or was motivated by deeper convictions.
In his weekly radio address Saturday, Mr Obama sought to reassure US soldiers.
“Thursday’s shooting was one of the most devastating ever committed on an American military base,” he said.
“And yet, even as we saw the worst of human nature on full display, we also saw the best of America.”
The president noted that soldiers and civilians rushed to help, tearing off bullet-riddled clothes to treat the injured and using blouses as tourniquets.
Mr Obama ordered flags to fly at half-staff at the White House and federal buildings, as troops here and around the world held a minute’s silence to mourn the dead.
Mr Obama would also attend a memorial service due to be held in the coming days, the White House said.
—Agencies