Relatives Of Alleged Fort Hood Shooter Release Statement

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (WUSA) -- Answers are hard to come by in this neighborhood where Hasan's relatives live.

Late Thursday night they released this statement by Nader Hasan:

"As Nidal Hasan's first cousin, and because his parents are no longer alive, I wanted to issue a statement on behalf of my family. We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events at Fort Hood today. We send the families of the victims our most heartfelt sympathies. We, like most of America, know very few details at this time. Here is what we do know about our cousin. Nidal was an American citizen. He was born in Arlington, Virginia and raised here in America. He attended local high schools and eventually went on to attend Virginia Tech. 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."

9NEWS NOW was there when relatives came out of their Falls Church home to talk with police and neighbors.

Friends have been stopping by the house. Everyone here is wondering what made Hasan possibly snap. Hasan has deep roots in Northern Virginia and Maryland.

He's a licensed psychiatrist from Bethesda and worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for six years before transferring to Fort Hood in July. The family says they've had no contact with Hasan since he left the area in the summer.

Hasan was about to be deployed to the Middle East and those who worked closely with him say he was desperately trying to prevent that from happening.

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