Rattled Residents Flood Local Churches

Church attendance was up today in the area around Fort Hood, Texas, where at least one congregation heard a somewhat unexpected appeal. "Lord, we pray for Major Hasan‘s family, who find themselves in a position no one wants to be in—to try and explain the unexplainable," said the chaplain leading the service. The nearest town to the base, Killeen, has one house of worship for every 245 residents, according to the Austin American-Statesman, and attendance at many appeared to be up.

"We’re here to provide extra comfort in a time of trial," said a greeter at one chapel. Nidal Malik Hasan, who allegedly killed 13 people and wounded dozens Thursday, remains in critical condition and has been taken off a ventilator. An FBI spokesman was unable to confirm whether Hasan has been charged, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
(More Fort Hood stories.)