Army: Suspect said 'Allahu Akbar!' before shooting

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By Joseph Weber

UPDATED:

Soldiers at Fort Hood who witnessed the shooting that killed 13 and wounded 30 reported Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan shouted "Allahu Akbar!" before opening fire inside the Soldier Readiness Center, the commanding officer at the Texas base said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Robert W. Cone told NBC's "Today" show that soldiers heard the suspect shout "Allahu Akbar!" — which translates in Arabic to "God is great!" — before the rampage began at about 1:30 p.m. central time.

However, military officials later Friday morning would not confirm that report, saying only that investigators continue to interview witnesses.

The revelation is part of a profile emerging of the military psychiatrist as investigators also learned more details about his 10-minute shooting rampage, the victims and the heroes.

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Army officials said gunman Maj. Hasan, 39, was not known to be a threat or risk, but his military career and personal life show signs of potential underlying problems and concerns.

While working at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six years before coming to Fort Hood, Maj. Hasan required counseling and extra supervision, Dr. Thomas Grieger, who was the training director at the time, told the Associated Press.

Maj. Hasan, who helped soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder, also reportedly was harassed about being a Muslim following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.