FORT HOOD, TX — We have a new potential motive in the deadly Fort Hood mass shooting. Investigators originally thought a medical condition caused Specialist Ivan Lopez to kill three people and injure 16 others before killing himself. They now believe Lopez may have pulled the trigger after his leave was denied.
The feds say he wanted time off to deal with a family issue related to his mother’s recent death. The soldier was being treated for depression and was under evaluation for PTSD. His father issued a statement today, apologizing to the victims’ families. He says his son was not in his right mind.
The governor of Texas also offered comfort Friday. “There aren’t any easy answers to what occurred here. And there’s no way to wish away the suffering that is occurring,” he said.
Fort Hood will hold a memorial for the three soldiers killed next Wednesday.
One of the 16 soldiers hurt in the shooting is a recent graduate of Campbell University’s Fort Bragg campus. John Arroyo was shot in the neck, but is recovering with his family in Texas. John Robertson, Dean of Extended Programs at Campbell University, said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with John and the Arroyo family. We wish him success in his recovery.”
