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Fort Hood Shooter Snapped Over Denial of Request for Leave, Army Confirms

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Photo Credit: U.S. Army

Photo Credit: U.S. Army

Fort Hood shooter Ivan Lopez’s rampage followed an argument over the denial of his request for leave and did not appear to be due to some ongoing mental problem, an Army official said Monday.

The word came as officials announced findings of their ongoing investigation, which included interviews with more than 1,100 people and a recreation of the shooting last Wednesday, which left four dead including Lopez, and 16 injured.

“We only have one suspect,” said Chris Grey, spokesman for the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command. “We are fully committed to this investigation and we will continue to pursue investigatively all leads.”

Grey, who was flanked by other law enforcement officials, did not take questions at the brief Monday news conference, and said he would not divulge any information that could jeopardize the investigation. But confirmation that an argument of a request for leave had immediately preceded the shooting seemed to further put to rest prior speculation that the 34-year-old Army specialist’s Lopez’s spree may have been related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Although he had reportedly been treated for mental issues including depression, military officials had expressed skepticism that his four-month tour in Iraq as that war wound down could have caused PTSD.

One complicating issue in the probe is the sheer size of the crime scene, Grey said, noting that it was comparable to two city blocks. The spree began in one building of the sprawling complex, where Lopez, who was 34, first pulled his .45-caliber Caliber Smith & Wesson handgun and killed one, injuring 10.

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3 Victims, Gunman Dead After Second Fort Hood Mass Shooting

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Photo Credit: AP / Jack Plunkett

Photo Credit: AP / Jack Plunkett

By Frank Heinz.

A soldier opened fire on fellow service members at Fort Hood on Wednesday, killing three and injuring 16 before turning the gun on himself, in an attack at the same post still recovering from a 2009 shooting massacre that left 13 people dead.

More than four hours after the shooting, all-clear sirens sounded as the lockdown at the post was lifted. Hundreds of cars began streaming from the giant complex, many including children who had been kept locked-down in schools since gunshots were first reported at about 4:30 p.m.

NBC News identified the deceased gunman as 34-year-old enlisted Army soldier Ivan Lopez, but military officials declined to name him Wednesday night, pending notification of family members.

Officials said there was no indication the shooting was terrorism-related. The gunman’s motive remains unknown, officials said, although NBC News reported that the rampage may have resulted from an argument with other soldiers in the motor pool.

The names of the victims have not yet been released, though officials did confirm that all of the victims are military personnel. Their names will be released 24 hours after all family have been notified.

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Photo Credit: LifeNews

Photo Credit: LifeNews

Pro-Life Sidewalk Counselor With Baby On the Way Murdered in Shooting

By Steven Ertelt.

Nathan Trapuzzano was a young 24-year-old man who served as a sidewalk counselor at a local abortion clinic in Indiana and had a baby on the way. Tragically, he was murdered in a shooting while out walking his neighborhood.

“I am saddened to report that a young man who served as a sidewalk counselor at one of Indianapolis’ abortion clinics was killed while walking near his home on Tuesday morning,” said Cathie Humbarger of Allen County Right to Life. “His wife is due to deliver their first baby next month.”

Indianapolis television station WISH-TV has more details on what happened:

From early evening on into the night Tuesday, patrol cars and extra eyes watched the streets where an innocent man was gunned down.

“This is a safe city and that’s why this murder is particularly troubling because this is a gentleman who was just living his life, who was shot dead for absolutely no reason,” said IMPD Southwest District Commander David Hofmann.

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Fort Hood Shooting: Suspect Rests his Case Without Testifying at Sentencing

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Photo Credit: Reuters

Photo Credit: Reuters

The Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people at Fort Hood decided not to call witnesses or testify Tuesday during his trial’s penalty phase, which is his last chance to plead for his life before the jury begins deliberating whether to sentence him to death.

Major Nidal Hasan rested his case without submitting any evidence to counter the emotional testimony from victims’ relatives, who prosecutors hope convince jurors to hand down a rare military death sentence. The same jury convicted Hasan last week for the attack, which also wounded more than 30 people at the Texas military base.

The judge dismissed jurors after Hasan declined to put up a defense. But she then asked Hasan more than two dozen questions in rapid fire, affirming that he knew what he was doing. His answers were succinct and just as rapid.

“It is my personal decision,” he said. “It is free and voluntary.”

The judge, Colonel Tara Osborn, then read him several court opinions to back up her decision not to introduce evidence in Hasan’s favor on her own.

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