Another tragic shooting at a US military installation has been reported today. Fort Hood, the location of an earlier shooting in 2009 (killing 13), suffered a shooting today that resulted in four deaths with several wounded.
Ivan Lopez, a military truck driver recently assigned to the 13th Sustainment Command expeditionary unit at Fort Hood earlier this year, has been identified as the shooter. Apparently, at the time of the shooting, the 34-year-old was under examination for mental health concerns, including a potential, but yet undiagnosed case of PTSD.
The shooting at Fort Hood back in 2009 inspired an increase in on-base firearms restrictions, including strict regulation of personal arms. Only military police are allowed to carry any guns on the base (others with personal firearms are required to have them registered with their commander and kept in a secure location).
Allegedly, Lopez arrived on base with a personal firearm, a .45 S&W semi auto pistol and opened fire at one of the unit buildings some time after four this afternoon. He then entered a vehicle to drive to another unit building, where he left the vehicle and fired more. According to reports, Fort Hood MP officers encountered Lopez in a parking lot. He appeared to surrender momentarily, but then drew a gun from his jacket. In response, the MPs fired at Lopez. Lopez then put his gun to his head and shot himself, adding a fourth death to his count. Due to Lopez’s attack, sixteen people were injured, five of which are in critical condition at the time of this article.
Investigators aren’t suspecting a terrorist attack, but are still looking into Lopez’s background for a possible motive.
Featured image of Lt. Gen. Mark Milley at the press conference addressing the Fort Hood shooting 04/02/2014. Photo by Drew Anthony Smith/ Getty Images.
H/T to David Barer & Claire Z. Cardona from dallasnews.com
