Four people are dead after a shooting at Fort Hood in Texas, including the shooter. It has been revealed that the shooter, an Iraq war veteran was treated for mental illness.
The shooting was reported just before 4:30 p.m. local time Wednesday. Although Army officials did not release the identity of the shooter, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas did reveal that the suspected gunman is Spc. Ivan Lopez, reports USA Today.
Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, head of the Army's III Corps at the Texas post, did reveal that the soldier had “behavioral health and mental health issues and was being treated for that.” He added that they were waiting to notify his family before officially releasing the name of the suspect.
The weapon he used was a .45 caliber Smith & Wesson semi automatic pistol.
Milley said the shooter was treated for depression and was examined for symptoms of PTSD, but was not diagnosed.
Authorities also do not know what triggered Lopez’s rampage, notes CNN. He killed three people and injured 16 before he took his own life. Milley did tell the media that there are reports there was an argument.
Lopez, 34, was in Iraq in 2011 for four months. Records show that he was not wounded in action, Milley said. He does have a family that lives in the area, including a wife and three-year-old daughter.
Dr. Harry Papaconstantinou, Chief of Surgery for Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple told NBC DFW that three victims are in critical condition, while six others are in serious condition.
Fort Hood is the same post where 13 died and over 30 were injured by Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan in November 2009. He was convicted and received the death penalty.