KILLEEN, Texas (AP) _ Police believe the AWOL Muslim soldier arrested with explosives near Fort Hood wouldn’t have waited much longer to carry out an attack on the Army post.
Killeen 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.
Pfc. Naser Abdo (AB’-doh), who went AWOL from Fort Campbell, Ky., was arrested Wednesday at a motel and is being held at the city jail. His attorney has said he’s trying to reach his client.
The Army says Abdo had a bomb in his backpack, explosives materials in his motel room and had bought a uniform from a surplus store with Fort Hood unit patches.
The 21-year-old was granted conscientious objector this year.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)