In the 3pmET hour, the cable networks all covered breaking news of a shooting at Fort Hood in Texas near a soldier readiness processing center. (AP story)
Early reports had casualties at 7 dead and 20 injured.
One suspect was in custody and two others were at large.
> Update: As of an Army news conference at 4:50pmET, reports are now 12 dead and 31 injured. One gunman was killed and two suspects are in custody, all are U.S. soldiers. The shooting took place around 2:30pmET.
> Update: MSNBC’s David Shuster reported the news at 3:13pmET with assistance from KCEN, the NBC affiliate in Waco/Killeen/Temple, Texas. Shepard Smith reported it on FNC at 3:16pmET. CNN’s Rick Sanchez reported at 3:18pmET as the network came out of a commercial break. HLN’s Chuck Roberts reported the story at 3:26pmET.
> Update: At 3:30pmET, Charlie Gibson delivered a special report for ABC News. Katie Couric delivered a report for CBS News at 4:00pmET.
> Update: At 4:49pmET Brian Williams began anchoring what would be a 20-minute special report for NBC stations which included remarks from Pres. Obama. CBS’ Couric and ABC’s Gibson also anchored special coverage of Obama’s remarks.
> Program Note: At 5pmET on Fox News, Shepard Smith began anchoring in place of Glenn Beck’s program (Beck is off recovering from surgery.)
> More: At 5:01pmET Pres. Obama, speaking to a summit of American Indian tribes, called the incident “a horrific outburst of violence,” adding, “My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and with the families of the fallen.”
> Program Note: We’re told Couric is doing a Skype interview with an Army spouse at Ft. Hood who works with PTSD soldiers. The interview will air on “Evening News.”
> Update: At 5:09pmET ABC’s Brian Ross identified the suspect as Army Major Malik Nadal Hasan, who is 39 or 40 years old. NBC’s Pete Williams reported the name at 5:27pm. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer reported the name at 5:35pm, making the point that the suspect is an Army Major. His guest at the time, Lt. Gen. Russel Honore said, “My jaw just dropped when you mentioned that.”
> Program Note: ABC’s Chris Cuomo is en route to Texas for “Good Morning America.”