Army officials heightened security at Fort Detrick today in response to Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, that left 13 people dead and at least 30 wounded.
Fort Detrick made security changes but “can't comment on additional security measures other than that they are being taken,” wrote Lanessa Hill, public affairs specialist for the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Detrick, in an email.
The Force Protection Condition, which indicates the level of threats at Army installations, was not changed, as was advised by the U.S. Northern Command in Colorado, Hill said.
“Fort Detrick remains vigilant and has security measures in place for visitors as well as its employees,” Hill said. “As always the safety of everyone at this installation remains a priority.”
Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood raised several security questions, in part because the suspected gunman, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was a psychiatrist at the Army post and would not have been in possession of an Army-issued weapon, news reports said.
Hill said most employees at Fort Detrick, an Army post with an emphasis on medical research rather than soldier training, are not allowed to carry guns. Only security officers at the entrance gates and employees in the provost marshal’s office may be armed.

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