Attempted Fort Hood Terror Attack Stopped; Kileen Police Label it a Close Call

The U.S. Army says an AWOL soldier from Fort Campbell in Kentucky was arrested in a Kileen, Texas motel after investigators found bomb-making materials in his room.

Authorities were originally alerted to the possible danger posed by Pfc. Naser Abdo when a worker at a Kileen gun shop reported Abdo's suspicious purchases and behavior. Greg Ebert, a 17 year old veteran of the Kileen police force said Abdo arrived by taxi at Guns Galore LLC. and purchased large amounts of weaponry, including six pounds of gunpowder, three boxes of shotgun ammunition and a magazine for a simi-automatic pistol.

That wasn't the only thing Ebert found suspicious. He said Abdo acted strangely and asked odd questions about what he was purchasing. Ebert provided the store's surveillance footage to police, who then located the Motel Abdo was staying in.

Inside his motel room, investigators found explosives materials, a uniform with Fort Hood patches, copious amounts of ammunition, simi-automatic weapons, and a backpack containing a bomb. After questioning, Abdo revealed that he planned an attack on Fort Hood. ABC News reported that Abdo planned to target a restaurant popular with Fort Hood soldiers. He elaborated that he planned to explode two bombs, and then shoot any survivors. In a press meeting today, Kileen Police Chief Dennis Baldwin told reporters that he might be offering them a different story Thursday if a gun store clerk would not have alerted authorities about the soldier's suspicious activity and purchases. Officials believe he planned to strike before the end of the week.

The 21-year-old Muslim was granted conscientious objector earlier this year after he said his beliefs would prevent him from fighting in any war. His discharge was delayed however, after Abdo was charged with possessing child pornography. Then, over the 4th of July holiday, Abdo went AWOL. His attorney said he hadn't been in contact with the man in weeks.

He said he was angry with the military and wanted pay back. At this time it is believed that he was not officially affiliated with any terror group or organization. The FBI
plans to charge him with possession of bomb making materials.