One Fort Hood victim was barricading door to packed room

[Omaha Steve]

Source: USA Today

Yamiche Alcindor

One of the three soldiers killed in the shooting rampage at Fort Hood died while trying to hold a door shut that would have led the gunman to a room packed with military personnel, his fiance says.

Sgt. First Class Danny Ferguson, a native of Mulberry, Fla., who had just returned from Afghanistan, died while trying to keep the shooter out of the room, Kristen Haley, also a soldier, tells WTSP-TV.

"He held that door shut because it wouldn't lock," Haley, who was nearby when the shooting broke out, tells 10 News, the Tampa TV station. "It seems the doors would be bullet proof, but apparently they're not, If he wasn't the one standing there holding those doors closed, that shooter would have been able to get through and shoot everyone else."

Army officials say a "verbal altercation" may have preceded the shooting spree, but there is no indication that Spc. Ivan Lopez, the soldier who allegedly opened fire and killed three people and wounded 16, was targeting specific individuals.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/04/fort-hood-shooting-ivan-lopez-motive-verbal-altercation/7292761/

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Kristen Haley, left, says Sgt. First Class Danny Ferguson, right, her fiance, died in the Fort Hood shooting while trying to keep a door shut to a room packed with military personnel near the rampage.(Photo: Family photo)

[geckosfeet]

1. Brave and courageous man.

However I do have a bone to pick with the hyperbole in the piece.

If he wasn't the one standing there holding those doors closed, that shooter would have been able to get through and shoot everyone else.

One Fort Hood victim was barricading door to packed room

I find it hard to believe that roomful of military personnel would stand there like fish in a barrel. More than likely several "Danny Fergusons" would have rushed the shooter at some point.

I recall reading that the shooter was using an S&W M&P .45. The full size model has standard 10 round magazines.

[NaturalHigh]

2. You're probably right...

but I don't blame her for wanting to portray her fiance in such a courageous manner. It's probably her way of saying that he didn't die for nothing. I think that's natural in light of such a tragedy.

[geckosfeet]

3. He most certainly did not die for nothing. His previous service in Afghanistan

alone was huge a sacrifice. His last act was indeed one of bravery and courage.

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Also problematic in that

who holds the door shut after he gets shot?

Sad situation, facts/recounting of the situation tends to get garbled. This will probably get cleared up soon.

[NickB79]

9. Dead/dying body slumped against the door?

If he were hit fatally in the initial barrage and had no time to move away, it might be hard for the shooter to move 175 lb of dead weight and get inside.

[peace13]

5. So sad that so many of our soldiers have been immersed in combat.

They come home and try to live a life. Daily 'normal' life is hard enough but when they are once again on the battlefield at home it is just so awful!

Get these soldiers the help they need!

But first and foremost, stop it with the wars already!!

[joshdawg]

7. Yes

Yes!
and YES!!
Great post.

[DesertDiamond]

8. You said it right, peace13!

[lillypaddle]

6. So very sad nt