U.S. law enforcement officials say a gunman opened fire at the Fort Hood military base in central Texas Wednesday, killing at least three people before taking his own life. As many as 14 others were wounded.
President Barack Obama, speaking from Chicago, offered condolences, saying "we're heartbroken that this might have happened again." He referred to the wounded and their families as those "who have sacrificed so much for freedom," and said the situation at the base is fluid.
Officials at the huge base confirmed Wednesday's mayhem after gunfire was first reported on social media.
Shortly after the first reports of gunfire, television footage showed helicopters overhead as military police searched the base. Nearby civilian police agencies searched vehicles and helped seal the perimeter of the base, located south of the city of Waco.
The base remained on lockdown hours later, as military police and other law enforcement combed the heavily guarded facility.
Fort Hood was the scene of a mass shooting spree in 2009. Thirteen people were killed and more than 30 others wounded when an Army psychiatrist opened fire on personnel.
After that shooting, the Pentagon ordered tightened security at all U.S. bases.
President Barack Obama, speaking from Chicago, offered condolences, saying "we're heartbroken that this might have happened again." He referred to the wounded and their families as those "who have sacrificed so much for freedom," and said the situation at the base is fluid.
Officials at the huge base confirmed Wednesday's mayhem after gunfire was first reported on social media.
Shortly after the first reports of gunfire, television footage showed helicopters overhead as military police searched the base. Nearby civilian police agencies searched vehicles and helped seal the perimeter of the base, located south of the city of Waco.
The base remained on lockdown hours later, as military police and other law enforcement combed the heavily guarded facility.
Fort Hood was the scene of a mass shooting spree in 2009. Thirteen people were killed and more than 30 others wounded when an Army psychiatrist opened fire on personnel.
After that shooting, the Pentagon ordered tightened security at all U.S. bases.