US army base Fort Hood said late last night it had initial but unconfirmed information that a shooter who opened fire causing injuries at the Texas base was dead.
“The number of injured are not confirmed at this time,” it said.
In 2009, a former army psychiatrist shot dead 13 people and wounded 32 others in a shooting spree at the same base.
“There has been a shooting at Fort Hood and injuries are reported,” said officials in a statement on the base’s website. “Emergency crews are on the scene. No further details are known at this time.”
Local news reports said there was one person killed, while CNN reported that one shooter was believed to be dead, citing a US official. NBC reported that eight people were wounded in the shooting – four of them critically.
The base was put on lockdown and police were securing its perimeter, police and military officials said. Helicopters could be seen circling the base in live TV footage broadcast from the scene.
Authorities advised people to stay away from windows and to keep doors closed and locked.
Central Texas College, which has a Fort Hood campus, ordered an immediate evacuation of students and staff. FBI agents were also despatched to the scene.
