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Major Nidal Malik Hasan, 39, is an American citizen, born and raised in Virginia. His parents emigrated to the US from a Palestinian town near Jerusalem. Military officials said he is of Jordanian origin.
After high school he joined the US army, against the wishes of his parents, and the military paid his way through medical school. He graduated from Virginia Tech University in 1997 with a degree in biochemistry and became a psychiatrist, treating troops returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Imam Faizul Khan said Hasan attended daily prayers at his mosque, often in uniform, when he worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. Mr Khan said they often discussed "religious matters" but "nothing too controversial".
The imam said the major had tried, but failed, to find an equally religious woman to marry. On a form for those looking for spouses through the mosque he listed his birthplace as Arlington, Virginia, but his nationality as Palestinian. Major Hasan was transferred to Fort Hood in July after six years at the Walter Reed centre. His performance evaluation at the military hospital had been poor and he may have been the subject of disciplinary action, according to officials. While he told his family the "military was his life", he had repeatedly tried and failed to leave. His aunt Noel Hasan said he had even offered to repay his college fees. He "did not make many friends" and spent all his free time at her house, she added. Ms Hasan blamed his desire to be discharged on harassment by his colleagues. The major's cousin, Nader Hasan, said he had received "flak" for being Middle Eastern.
Hasan was said to be increasingly anxious about being posted to Afghanistan. He was due to be deployed on 28 November.
Neighbours said Hasan had been carrying a Koran and giving his furniture to anyone who would take it yesterday morning.
