Military psychiatrist went on gun rampage

As Fort Hood observed a day of mourning, investigators continued to search for reasons why a military psychiatrist at the US base went on a gun rampage killing 13 and injuring dozens more.

Witnesses are said to have heard Major Nidal Malik Hasan cry "Allahu Akbar" - Arabic for "God is great" - before opening fire at the sprawling military complex in Texas.

Alleged links to extremist websites were yesterday being examined as authorities tried to work out if the killings were the result of a mental breakdown or ideological rage.

The suspect was on a life-support machine yesterday and has not been questioned. Lieutenant General Bob Cone said Major Hasan was on a ventilator and unconscious, but added: "I would say his death is not imminent."

Major Hasan, a devout American-born Muslim, was shot several times in the aftermath of the rampage by a civilian police officer who was today being hailed as a hero.

Lt Gen Cone said Sgt Kimberly Munley and her partner responded to reported gunfire within three minutes. She then disabled the suspect despite being shot herself in the process.

Shortly before her arrival, Major Hasan - armed with two non-military issue pistols, including a semi-automatic - entered a section used to prepare soldiers for deployment overseas and started firing.

Within minutes, 12 soldiers and a civilian at the base were dead or dying in the worst mass shooting yet at a military base in the US. At least 30 others were injured in an attack described by President Barack Obama as a "horrific outburst of violence".

Soldiers rushed to treat their wounded colleagues by ripping their uniforms into makeshift bandages. Around half of those injured required surgery after being evacuated to hospital. The shootings began yesterday at around 1.30 p.m. local time (7.30 p.m. GMT) at Fort Hood's readiness centre.

The compound - the US's largest military base - was yesterday observing a day of mourning, officials said.

President Obama ordered federal buildings to fly the US flag at half-mast until Veterans' Day (November 11) as a "modest tribute" to the dead at Fort Hood.

Meanwhile investigators were trying to establish the motive behind the attack.

Mr Cone said the suspect was not known to be a threat or risk.

Retired Colonel Terry Lee, who worked with Major Hasan, claimed the major was anti-war and argued with comrades who supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Major Hasan, 39, from Virginia, was also due to be sent to Afghanistan, something family members said would have been his "worst nightmare".