Initial news reports have suggested that Nadal Malik Hasan “snapped,” attributing his actions to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Suggesting that Hasan was suffering from PTSD does dishonor to all the true warriors who suffer from the condition. Hasan has never been in a war zone. The first shots he has ever heard fired in anger were fired by him at American soldiers at Fort Hood.
The first killed in action he has ever witnessed were deaths inflicted by a Muslim extremist named Nadal Malik Hasan.
This man did not snap.
The facts aren’t all in, but one doesn’t have to go too far out on limb to predict that the ongoing investigation will reveal that Nadal Malik Hasan is a radical Muslim jihadist, who launched a terrorist attack on American soldiers at Fort Hood.
Some might rhetorically ask: “How can one be sure he just did not snap?” Here are some observations that should disprove the theory that these were the actions of a man who “suddenly snapped.”
Choice of Weapon
Hasan purchased an FN 5.7 semi automatic. This was the choice made by a man who wanted a lethal, concealable weapon with high capacity. He chose a weapon with great close quarter killing capability, which is accurate with low recoil and high velocity. With the right ammunition it could penetrate the vests of first responders. This was a thoughtful tactical choice.
Choice of Victims
He chose American soldiers who were about to deploy to fight against people with whom he had an ideological kinship: Radical Islamists.
According to reports, Hasan felt the War on Terror was a “War on Islam” and he considered himself a Muslim first and an American second. He equated suicide bombers as the moral equivalent of an American GI covering a live grenade to save his fellow soldiers. They are the words and deeds of a radical jihadist who somehow slipped into a key position in the American Military.
Choice of Time and Place
Because of his position in the Army, he was as well placed as any “mole” in our history. He knew when and where there would be hundreds of American soldiers packed together. These were soldiers who were perfectly capable of defending themselves but for security regulations they did not have immediate access to weapons at that time.
Hasan knew this and had security clearance to walk unchallenged to his target.
He chose a time to attack which was pre-deployment. He did not choose to wait until he arrived in Iraq or Afghanistan to kill soldiers. It is not so easy to kill large numbers of American soldiers in a war zone. They are properly armed and equipped there —according to regulations. They are alert there and trained to avoid bunching, which would make them easy targets. When attacked there, they are able to defend themselves. They would be a “hardened target.”
He picked a time when the soldiers were relaxed and still on their home base. He chose a place where they would be bunched in large number in close confines, so it would be like “like shooting fish in a barrel.” He knew they would be following regulations and therefore be ill-equipped to defend themselves. He dressed as one of them, wearing the rank of major, and feigned the role of a caring healing doctor. Instead, he was an agent of death.
The Attack
It has been asked, “How could an American soldier do this to his fellow soldiers?”
The investigation will reveal that he could kill them because he had not really joined them. He had infiltrated them.
Hassan has been quoted as saying he is “a Muslim first and American second.”
At the moment of the attack witnesses say he shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” which means “God is Great!” in Arabic. This is not only the solemn prayer of a devout peaceful Muslim, it is also the battle cry of the radical Muslim jihadist.
The Good
Within three minutes of the call “shots fired” Sgt. Kimberly Munley, a firearms instructor and Swat Team Member, arrived on the scene. Fellow officer Mark Todd arrived also. They realized that they were at the scene of an in progress active shooter, which they had both been trained for. It is a sign of the times that both had been prepared for what would be a classic confrontation between good and evil. Two police officers rushing to engage an active shooter blazing away at a room full of unarmed American Soldiers.
Munley engaged Hasan first in a gunfight and fired even after she went down from her wounds. Todd then engaged Hasan, who finally went down reportedly from four rounds to the torso. Todd approached Hasan, kicked the gun out of reach and handcuffed him.
Before these officers had arrived, Hassan fired over 100 rounds killing thirteen and wounding many more.
Words That Ring True
As Sgt. Munley lies in the hospital recovering from her wounds, her Twitter page is being inundated by well-wishers around the nation. Before this incident she had described her life as a police officer on that very Web page. The description is particularly poignant, when read in the context of her actions taken at Fort Hood.
She said, “I live a good life…a hard one, but I go to sleep peacefully @ night, knowing that I may have made a difference in someone’s life.”
Heal well and sleep peacefully Sgt. Munley. At great risk, Officer Todd and you rode to the sound of the guns and made a difference.
