Army: Suspect said ‘Allahu Akbar!’ before shooting

UPDATED:

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — The base commander at Fort Hood says soldiers who witnessed a shooting rampage that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted “Allahu Akbar!” before opening fire at the Texas post.

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone told NBC’s “Today” show on Friday that suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, made the comment, which is Arabic for “God is great!” before the rampage Thursday that also left 30 people wounded.

Military officials say they are still piecing together what may have pushed Hasan, an Army psychiatrist trained to help soldiers in distress, to turn on his comrades.

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Cone says Hasan was not known to be a threat or risk.

Hasan was shot four times during the rampage. Cone says he is hospitalized in stable condition and that military officials will interrogate him as soon as possible.

Col. John Rossi on Friday would not confirm that report, saying only that investigators continue to interview witnesses.

He also said Hasan and all of the shooting victims are in stable condition.

He said the shooting lasted about 10 minutes and the entire incident ended in about 30 minutes. Rossi said investigators also are trying to learn whether any of the victims were shot in an attempt to take down Hasan. He was shot four times by civilian police officer.

A video obtained by CNN shows Hasan at a convenience store Thursday morning, before work, dressed in traditional Muslim clothing.

Washington Times reporter Joseph Weber contributed to this article.