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Alleged Shooter's Relatives "Mortified"

 Surae Chinn     14 days ago
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FALLS CHURCH, Va. (WUSA) -- The relatives of the alleged shooter release a second statement.

The written statement comes again from Nader Hasan.  The alleged shooter's cousin. He writes:

"Our family is filled with grief for the victims and their families involved in yesterday's tragedy. We are mortified with what has unfolded and there is no justification, whatsoever, for what happened. We are all asking why this happened- and the answer is that we simply do not know. We can not explain, nor do we excuse what happened yesterday.Yesterday's violence in no way reflects the feelings, beliefs, or principles of our family. We have spoken with the FBI, answered all of their questions, provided them with all the information we have. We will continue to provide information and cooperate with law enforcement until this is resolved and explained to all of us. We are humbled by the overwhelming support from friends and colleagues who know our family, know our values, know our commitment to our community, and know our love for America."

Akhdar Khan says, "What happened to him, he use to be quiet, smile and talk what happened?"

The community where 39-year-old Nidal Malik Hasan spent in peace and prayer at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, MD. are asking the same questions. 

Ezeddine Benyedder met Hasan at the mosque.  He says,"I was shocked, tears come to my eyes, I was speechless."

Looking into Hasan's military career could shed some light into the emotional toll it may have taken. 

The army psychiatrist sought counseling himself during his six years working at Walter Reed as a counselor for soldiers returning from war.  He treated soldiers who endured horrific trauma until he transferred to Fort Hood in July. Those stories of pain and suffering may have fueled his fear of going into battle.   
 
Hasan's relatives say he had been harassed for being Muslim after the September 9-11 attacks.

The months he spent at Fort Hood may have been a troubling time.

There was a report of a fight with another Fort Hood soldier over his muslim beliefs. That soldier was arrested for keying Hasan's car and tearing off a bumper sticker reading 'allah is love.'

But those back in Hasan's home town remember him in a more peaceful and perhaps a happier time in his life. 

Benyedder says, "He was a friend of mine here we were praying together here."

Investigators examined Hasan's computer, his home and his garbage Friday to find out how and why he allegedly gunned down his own comrades in the worst case of violence on a U.S military post.

Written by Surae Chinn
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com


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