Fort Hood gunman conscious (Extra)

Nov 9, 2009, 3:12 GMT

   Fort Hood, Texas - The US Army psychiatrist accused of opening fire on soldiers at Fort Hood, killing 13 people, was conscious and talking, the Austin American Statesman newspaper reported.

   A spokesman at the Brooke Army Medical Centre in San Antonio, Texas, told the newspaper Sunday that Major Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, was responsive. The spokesman was not sure whether Hasan, who was shot four times by base police, was talking with investigators.

   Hasan was to have deployed in late November to Afghanistan but had voiced opposition to the war. He reportedly shouted, 'Allahu Akbar,' or 'God is great,' on Thursday before emptying two handguns - firing more than 100 rounds - at the Texas base's centre that prepares soldiers for deployment overseas.

   Twelve soldiers and one civilian employee were killed in the shooting while 30 people were hospitalized.