By Rae Jefferson
Staff Writer
The suspect in Wednesday’s Fort Hood shooting has been identified as Spc. Ivan A. Lopez, Fort Hood officials said this afternoon at a press conference.
The attack left 4 dead, including the shooter, and 16 injured. Nine patients were transferred from Fort Hood’s Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center to Scott & White Healthcare Center in Temple. Four of the patients were released earlier today.
Lopez had a history of mental health issues, Lt. Gen. Mark Milley said at Thursday’s press conference. Lopez was transferred from Fort Bliss to Fort Hood at the beginning of February. The reason for his transfer was not disclosed.
Milley said the first report of a shooter on the base came at 4:04 p.m. near the medical center and 49th Transportation Battalion. Fort Hood was then placed under immediate lockdown, which lasted until after 9 p.m. Wednesday.
At the Wednesday press conference, Milley said Lopez fired shots inside two buildings and from inside of a vehicle. Lopez died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after engaging with a female military police officer, whose identity has not been released.
Milley said although no links to national or international terrorist activities have been made, the investigation will continue until a motive is found.
“We have not yet ruled out anything,” Milley said.
