US army base tears down 2009 massacre site

The building that was the site of the worst mass shooting at a military installation in U.S. history was demolished Tuesday four years after the rampage, local media reported. The structure, Building 42003 in Fort Hood in central Texas, was razed by a heavy equipment excavator, according to the Austin American-Statesman newspaper. Once serving as a soldier readiness processing center, the building was considered an active crime scene and had been sealed off for nearly four years. On Nov. 5, 2009, then Major Nidal Hasan opened fire on unarmed soldiers in a crowded room when they were making final preparations for deployment, killing 13 and wounding 32 others. The army psychiatrist turned killer was found guilty on 13 charges of premeditated murder and 32 charges of attempted premeditated murder. He is now reportedly held at the U.S. Detention Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, home to the military death row. Tuesday's demolition is the first step to transform the site, according to Fort Hood officials. The building will be replaced with trees, a gazebo and a plaque memorializing the victims.