Fort Hood Gunman Nidal Malik Hasan Conscious and Speaking

The San Antonio Texas based Brooke Army Medical Center has confirmed that the Fort Hood Gunman, former Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Malik Hasan, is now conscious and speaking, according to CNN.com. Hasan, who was listed in critical but stable condition on Sunday, had his ventilator removed over the weekend and he reportedly began speaking soon after with staff members of the hospital.

CNN.com is reporting that 16 of the 42 gunshot victims who were wounded in Hasan's rampage remained hospitalized as of Sunday. Authorities have yet to identify a motive behind the Fort Hood gunman's attack at the Fort Hood military processing center where Hasan shot and killed 13 members of the military and wounded 42 others.

Army investigators had been feverishly attempting to gather clues, information and important evidence about the shooting prior to the breaking news that Hasan was no longer unconscious. Army investigators sought any information they could find in a written statement that read, "The Fort Hood office of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is seeking any military or civilian personnel who may have left the scene ... with gunshot damage such as damaged privately owned vehicles, personnel clothing, etc."

Military law experts came forward over the weekend to give their opinions on Hasan's upcoming criminal case and they explained that the evidence against him will be overwhelming. Experts are speculating that Major Nidal Malik Hasan may ultimately be charged with 13 separate counts of first-degree murder.