Seven killed in military base gun attack

A mass shooting at a military base in Texas has left seven people dead and 12 injured, according to reports.

Speaking on CNN, Lieutenant General Russel Honore, a former commander general at the Fort Hood compound, said he had been told that two men, armed with M16 rifles, carried out the attack.

“One was neutralised and the other was cornered,” he said.

Other unconfirmed reports suggested that a third gunman may be involved.

Fort Hood is a sprawling 340 square mile military installation situated 50 miles south of Waco.

It houses some 4,929 active duty officers and 45,414 enlisted members of the army.

The military base is currently on lockdown, with no vehicles allowed in or out of the compound.

Sergeant Major Jamie Posten, based at Fort Hood, confirmed there were multiple gunmen but could not say if the suspects were civilians or army personnel.

He told CNN: “More than one shooter fired shots in our soldier registration processing centre and the house theatre at Fort Hood.”

Sgt Maj Posten confirmed that one man was being held in custody in relation to the incident, but he could not give any information about the other gunman or gunmen.

At least 30 soldiers were injured alongside the dozen killed outright.

The Fort Hood compound – the US’s largest military base – was immediately placed under lock down, with all vehicles barred from entering or leaving the complex.

President Barack Obama met with aides in the White House’s Situation Room after being informed of the incident.

In brief remarks given after speaking with senior military personnel, the president said: “We do not know all the details at this moment.

“What we do know is that a number of American soldiers have been killed and even more have been injured in a horrific outburst of violence.”