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Army leaders say shooting undermined brotherhood

Posted at 2:29 PM, Apr 09, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-09 15:30:30-04

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - The Army's top leaders say the sense of security and brotherhood found at Fort Hood has been shattered by the recent shooting that left four soldiers dead and 16 others wounded.

Gen. Ray Odierno, the Army chief of staff, said during a memorial ceremony Wednesday that the loss of soldiers in war is a tragedy the country comes to eventually understand. But he says the death of soldiers at the hands of another is "inexplicable" and difficult to comprehend.

Army Secretary John McHugh told the audience that "unspeakable violence" occurred at the Central Texas post April 2. He says the shooting disrupted "a sense of home" thousands of soldiers and their families had established at Fort Hood.

Investigators say Spc. Ivan Lopez targeted fellow soldiers before fatally shooting himself.

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