Fort Hood officials seem to have a problem getting their facts straight. First we were told that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan was dead, then we found out he was alive. Then we were told that wounded police Sgt. Kimberly Hunley had single-handedly stopped Hasan's rampage. That was false, too.
Turns out, according to eyewitness accounts and an interview on Thursday, Sgt. Mark Todd actually fired the shots that saved Munley and dropped Hasan. Munley and Todd arrived on the scene at the same time, and both charged toward the sound of gunfire. Then they split up, and Sgt. Todd came upon Hasan in front of the processing center:
Sgt. Todd said he then saw Sgt. Munley on the ground, wounded.
He shouted again at the gunman to drop his weapon.
"Once I came around the front of the building, I caught his attention again, started shouting commands and then he opened up a second time," Todd said. "And that's when I returned fire, neutralized him and secured him." Source: 'Second Officer Says He Brought Fort Hood Gunman Down' - NYTimes.comAccording to Todd, the whole encounter lasted 45 seconds.
Sgt. Todd's account agrees with that of a witness who was at the processing center when the shooting occurred.
The witness, who asked not to be identified, said Hasan wheeled on Munley as she rounded the corner of a building and shot her. Then Hasan turned his back and started putting another magazine into his semiautomatic pistol.
Todd then rounded another corner of the building, found Hasan fumbling with his weapon and shot him, the witness said. Source: NYTimes.com
In my book, both officers are heroes for running toward imminent danger with the intention of ending a bloodbath, but facts count, and I hope that Todd receives all the praise and commendation he deserves.
Comments: (37)
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By: Gpowell on 11/13/2009 10:24AM
I cannot believe that the media screwed this up and gave the accolades to the white woman when brother man was the one who took him down...unbelievable..did hey run tell that when they found out the truth??
Heap praises on the white chick prematurely...
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By: Gem on 11/13/2009 7:01PM
Believe HALF of what you SEE, LITTLE of what you READ and NON of what HEAR!~ Heroism is colorblind!
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By: Gina on 11/14/2009 1:11AM
He was not being humble he was being dumb. She should be ashamed of herself but she aint. Thats not how it work here in Texas.
That's how they work here at FT Hood. This has been the worst place I have ever been stationed in my life. The white people here are a hot mess they are so racist. Not against Mexicans but against Blacks. They play blacks against one another and they take credit for all of their work. I have seen it, hear it and experience it on a daily basis. It was no accident they spoke of that white woman and kissing her behind. They been doing it for years here. People seem to forget that we couldnt walk off post when FT Hood was first established. We had to be bused off in groups otherwise we we get beaten and threatened to be lynched.
What is also disgusting is how he allowed that white woman to take all of the credit. He must be originally from here because that is how they all act. Like a puppet. Whenever the white people here come across someone who won't bow dow to them they are trouble. I wish him the very best but if the places were switched they would be badmouthing him in the media. He would get fired and probably not ever find another job.
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By: ordnareemoment on 11/15/2009 8:08AM
... believe that the media screwed it up. media has long stopped investigative reporting. not reporting Todd is just a continuation of the story with all its implications (race matters)that keeps the public glued to the tv set for the drama that the media creates, to unfold. at the expense of death and survival, the media is about commercial endorsements, high-paid salaries, face-lifts and $1,000 outfits. In the words of James Brown, "like a dull knife ... and sayin nothin."
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By: Mike on 11/19/2009 11:52AM
Gina - I agree wholeheartedly with you. Although I sincerely praise Sgt. Todd, I know you're speaking the truth. I'm a Boston born black man and had the opportunity to live down south in the late 80s to mid 90s and I witnessed exactly what you described. It was very disheartening to see.
Black people acting like trained scaredycats and not realizing that with black unity all the kowtowing becomes unnecessary. I watched these same blacks who acted like pussycats with the whites act like pit bulls with each other.
God bless you for speaking the truth - I saw it with my own eyes. Let's stop this - it's pure self destruction.
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By: Mike on 11/19/2009 11:51AM
GINA - GINA
You speak the truth and I agree 100%.
I did and do sincerely praise Sgt. Todd but the behavior you described so vividly HAS TO STOP, black people.
Thanks - cause we need to take what you said and change that behavior. We got to have each other's back 100% though - cause when one of us is booted out of these companies, there's no support.
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By: Jen on 11/13/2009 10:39AM
This was intentional and not surprising. White folks hate to give credit to a Black Man. Nothing new!
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By: alison on 11/13/2009 5:40PM
OMG its this kind of comment that keeps this country in racial dispute. this man is a hero no matter what race. get a life!!!!!
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By: cocoadelight on 11/13/2009 11:26AM
Reminds me of Oliver Stone and his story about the heroes of 9/11. The white media have such a terrible time giving credit to black heroes. Amazing!
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By: LadyJNewYork on 11/13/2009 12:24PM
What da?
That's ok white man gives "awards", GOD gives "REWARDS"....Kudos to this officer! I certainly hope the truth was corrected in the media.
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