November 6, 2009 Reports: Alleged Fort Hood shooter paralyzed Play video

(NECN/ABC News: Fort Hood, Tx.) Soldiers at Fort Hood military base were preparing for deployment Thursday afternoon. They were not prepared for a gunman --one of their own -- armed with two handguns, who opened fire, killing 12 and injuring 31.

The victims, most of them soldiers, were unarmed and unable to defend themselves.

The shooting finally ended when a responding police officer shot and injured the gunman rumors of other shooters kept the entire base on lockdown for several hours, including the community's nine schools.

"It's really disheartening to be, you know something's going on and you can't get to your child," said one mom.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Army Mfjr. Nidal Malik Hasan, is a military psychiatrist trained to help soldiers in his unit. Initial reports mistakenly indicated he had been killed in the exchange of gunfire.

"He was not killed as previously reported, he is currently in custody and in stable condition," said Lt. Gen. Robert Cone.

"It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas," said Pres. Obama. "It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."

Fort Hood's first cavalry division - 15,000 troops - are serving in Iraq.They've suffered the highest casualties there of any single military installation in the country..

But yesterday, their concern was for those they left behind.

Hasan remains in stable condition

Muslim groups across the country have condemned what happened here, while calling for fellow Muslims to take protective measures.