MAJOR UPDATE: Per the Press Conference at Ft. Hood, the Shooter, Major Hasan, has not been killed as first reported.
I know this is not a diary, but I just had to say it.
While everyone is speculating about whether it's the Teabaggers, or some Arabic guy or where it happened, whether it was at the PX or the Readiness Center, all I know is, I'm glad I wasn't home when it hit the news.
I'm ALWAYS home. I'm ALWAYS watching MSNBC, and I'm ALWAYS on the 'Net. Which is why my daughter knew the first thing she needed to do, as soon as she could, was get to her phone and call me and tell me she was okay.
I can't think of anything more bile inducing than hearing: "I'm okay, I wasn't one of the injured, and obviously not one of the ones killed, but I don't even know what the fuck is going on!"
At that time, the count was 7 killed, 15 wounded.
I just want you all to know, there is family reading here, and one of them may be of one of the killed or injured.
Edit: I want to add, in my own fear, I left out my own thoughts and prayers for the families of the dead and injured. How selfish of me.
Edit: h/t anotherdemocrat Here's the Red Cross Safe and Well List for anyone who is looking for status of loved ones.
If you can donate blood, it is badly needed!
h/t Brooke in Seattle
If you are in Texas, Scott & White in Temple, the hospitals in Killeen, and Seton Medical Center in Austin are accepting donations, as are any blood donation center.
Any help is deeply appreciated.
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h/t .lirtydies
List of places to donate at Burnt Orange Report
I'd like to post a Thank you here to everyone who've responded with their well wishes. I'm a bit distracted to respond individually. But really, thank you. I'm shocked to learn that the "shooter" is a psychiatrist (as reported by MSNBC) or some other mental health professional. Having been open about my own mental health issues, this is distressing news.
I will update again on the status of my daughter as I can. No contact since this afternoon. My other daughter tried to text, her step dad tried to call, no response, I'm assuming from the inability to get through now. As I said, she called me while it was still unfolding, so the phone lines/signals were relatively free then. I'm sure she's still okay.
She is due to come home in 6 days, so hopefully, this incident won't change anything
Update: Now 13 dead, 30 wounded. No word on who the latest individual is who died, just an updated count.
Just got a call from my oldest daughter. She received a text from my daughter at Ft. Hood. She is safe, still on lockdown. Agitated (as expected) but awaiting release so she can go to her barracks and destress from this situation.
Final update for the night: Just got off the phone with my daughter. She is still safe. YAY!
There was word that there may be still one suspect they were looking for. As yet unreported to the news. But I wonder if this is hearsay or not. While I was speaking to her, they finally released her from lockdown, so if there were someone still being sought, they either found them, or determined there was no one else.
3 of the guys that were either killed or injured are friends of her ex boyfriend. He had called her while she was talking to me the first time. He is in Iraq right now, and I was surprised he'd heard so quickly. There is no word yet on their status. But they were just checking in at the Readiness Center, returning home due to injuries. Major Hasan (the shooter) was getting ready to ship out, and did not want to do so. This is not his first deployment, and he was not about to go again. According to her, they believe there was more than one because there is no way he could have taken down so many on his own.
I will not speculate any more than that.
Again, thank you for your well wishes, and my heart goes out to those who have lost a loved one, who have love ones who are injured, and to those who still do not know.