US Army Shooter’s Family ‘Shocked’ Over Killings
WASHINGTON : A cousin of the army psychiatrist who went on a shooting rampage that killed 13 people in Fort Hood, Texas, expressed shock over the event, in a statement released Friday.
Major Nidal said, “I wanted to issue a statement on behalf of my family,” Major said in a message posted on The Washington Post website, noting that he was writing because the shooter’s parents had died.
“We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events at Fort Hood today. We send the families of the victims our most heartfelt sympathies.”
Major said that his cousin was US citizen “born in Arlington, Virginia and raised here in America. He attended local high schools and eventually went on to attend Virginia Tech (University).
“We are filled with grief for the families of today’s victims. Our family loves America. We are proud of our country, and saddened by today’s tragedy. Because this situation is still unfolding, we have nothing else that we are able to share with you at this time,” read the statement.
“He wanted to do whatever he could within the rules to make sure he wouldn’t go over,” Major said, adding that his cousin had retained a lawyer and sought to get out of the army before the end of his contract.
US Army Shooter’s Family ‘Shocked’ Over Killings was first posted on November 6, 2009 at 9:38 pm.
