US Army shooter likely shouted Allah Akbar; death toll rises (Extra)

Nov 6, 2009, 11:48 GMT

Washington - A top US Army official confirmed Friday that the suspect in the killing of at least 13 people at a Texas army base likely shouted 'Allah Akbar' (God is great) before opening fire.

Army Lieutenant General Robert Cone, commander of the Fort Hood, Texas, base where the shootings took place on Thursday, made the comment in answer to a question from NBC news.

Cone said 'there are first hand accounts' to the effect that the suspect, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, had yelled the Muslim religious chant.

NBC reported that the death toll had risen to 13, as one of the victims had died overnight.

The 39-year-old suspect in the killings is a US Army psychiatrist described as a devout Muslim who opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and had been trying to resign from the Army, according to media reports Friday.

Another 30 people were injured in the shootings. All but two were members of the military, officials said Thursday.

Cone said Thursday that investigators, who now include the FBI, had not ruled out the possibility it was a terrorist attack, but said evidence indicated it was not likely.