Suspect's cousin talks to FBI, mortified by attack

WASHINGTON — The cousin of the suspected Fort Hood shooter says family members have met with the FBI and answered all their questions.

Nader Hasan of northern Virginia says his family will continue to cooperate with law enforcement. He says he has no idea why his cousin, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, allegedly opened fire at the Texas Army post.

"We are all asking why this happened," Nader Hasan wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "And the answer is that we simply do not know."

Nader Hasan says his family is mortified, and his cousin's reported actions do not reflect their beliefs or principles.

"We cannot explain, nor do we excuse what happened yesterday," Nader Hasan said.

Hasan said his family is filled with grief for the victims and their families.

Authorities believe Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, killed 13 people and wounded dozens others during a shooting spree Thursday at Fort Hood.

An Army medical official said Nidal Malik Hasan is in stable condition in the intensive care unit at a hospital on Fort Sam Houston outside San Antonio, about 150 miles southwest of Fort Hood.

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Nov 06, 2009 - 6:47 p.m. EDT

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