Obama: Don't Jump to Conclusions

(AP) President Barack Obama said Friday the entire nation is grieving for those slain at Fort Hood, and he urged people not to jump to conclusions while law enforcement officers investigate the shootings.

Mr. Obama met Friday morning with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other federal leaders to get an update on what they've learned. Thirteen people were killed and 30 others injured in the shooting rampage at the Texas Army post on Thursday. The suspected shooter is an Army psychiatrist; his motive remains unclear.

"We don't know all the answers yet. And I would caution against jumping to conclusions until we have all the facts," Mr. Obama said in a Rose Garden statement otherwise devoted to the economy.

"What we do know is that there are families, friends and an entire nation grieving right now for the valiant men and women who came under attack yesterday," the president said.

Mr. Obama ordered the flags at the White House and other federal buildings to be at half-staff until Veterans Day. He called it a modest tribute to those who were slain and to those who put their lives on the line in the armed services each day.

"We stand in awe of their sacrifice, and we pray for the safety of those who fight, and for the families of those who have fallen," Obama said.

He promised that that his administration would update the nation as it learns more about what happened, and why, at Fort Hood.

The suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was shot and remains hospitalized.

More Coverage of the Tragedy at Fort Hood:
Neighbor: Ft. Hood Suspect Packed Up Home
Female Cop Hailed as Ft. Hood Hero
"Allahu Akbar": Hasan's Words as He Fired?
Military Spouse's Reaction
Forensic Psychiatrist on Possible Mindset of Ft. Hood Suspect
Suspect's Past Marked by "Difficulties"
Radical Ties Not Ruled Out at Ft. Hood
Store's Video May Show Ft. Hood Suspect
Anti-Muslim Backlash Immediate
Fort Hood Rampage Suspect Sill Alive
What Was Shooter's Motive?
Soldier Opens Fire at Ft. Hood; 13 Dead
U.S. Army Base Violence Has Bloody History
Obama: Fort Hood Shooting "Horrific"
Fast Facts: Fort Hood
Tragedy at Fort Hood

© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Print Page

Email This Page

UM Forecast: State Job Losses To Decline, Growth By 2011

Stocks Fall For 3rd Day As Dollar Strengthens

Arrest Made In 16 Year Old Murder Case

Attempt To Ban Guns In Council Fails

Police Chase Ends With Man Tasered, Dead

Change Ahead for Cervical Cancer Detection

>>> More Headlines

Recent Podcasts

Sonny Eliot's Forecast 11/20
A pretty good weekend is coming by, for November that is, so don't decry.

The Feldman Report-PM 11/20
An effort to make those big rigs on the road just a little bit safer.

What's Hot Around Town 11/20
The holiday season in Detroit kicks off officially with the lighting of the tree.

Economic Forecast for Michigan 11/20
WWJ’s Matt Roush talks with University of Michigan economist Don Grimes about the 2010 economic forecast for Michigan.

>>> More Podcasts