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Soldiers

AWOL Soldier Arrested with Bomb-Making Materials near Fort Hood

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A 21-year-old AWOL soldier, Pfc. Nasser Jason Abdo, was detained in Killeen, Texas, after being found in possession of bomb-making materials near Fort Hood, a US Army base where 13 people died in a 2009 attack. Abdo, who had been granted conscientious objector status, had been absent without leave since the July 4 weekend and was set to be discharged from the Army this spring. His planned discharge was put on hold after he was charged with possession of child pornography. Authorities discovered the gunpowder in Abdo's hotel room after the shop owner who sold him the materials contacted the police.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pfc. Nasser Jason Abdo, a 21-year-old AWOL soldier, was arrested in Killeen, Texas, for possession of bomb-making materials.
  • Abdo had been absent without leave since the July 4 weekend and was set to be discharged from the Army this spring.
  • His discharge was put on hold after he was charged with possession of child pornography.
  • Abdo had been granted conscientious objector status and had recently purchased materials at a gun shop in Killeen.
  • Authorities found an Army uniform with Fort Hood insignia and documents suggesting Abdo planned to attack the base as an act of "revenge" against the military.
  • The arrest comes just months after the July anniversary of the Fort Hood shooting that left 13 people dead.
  • The FBI is investigating the case and charges are pending against Abdo.

Statistics:

  • 13 people died in the 2009 attack on Fort Hood.
  • Pfc. Nasser Jason Abdo was 21 years old at the time of his arrest.
  • Abdo had been absent without leave for nearly a week when he was detained by police.
  • The shopkeeper who sold Abdo the materials reported that he purchased $250 worth of smokeless gunpowder, shotgun ammunition, and a magazine for a semi-automatic pistol.
  • The Fort Hood shooting occurred on November 5, 2009.

Sources:

  • "AWOL soldier found with bomb-making materials near Fort Hood." EFE via COMTEX, 28 Jul 2011.
  • "Soldier faces federal charges after bomb-making materials found in hotel room." CNN, 28 Jul 2011, Erick Vasys, FBI spokesman.
  • "Army Uniform with Fort Hood Insignia and Child Pornography Charges." ABC News, [no date mentioned].

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