Fort Hood Shooter Awake, Talking

There is no word at this time whether Maj. Hasan has spoken with Army investigators, but it has been confirmed that he is alert and has communicated with hospital staff. Investigators are still struggling to piece together the events leading up to Hasan's deadly rampage on base and they are hopeful that he will be able to give them some information as to why, exactly, he chose to open fire at his own base, killing fellow soldiers and targeting others on the base.

Hasan is currently listed in critical but stable condition and he was removed from a ventilator over the weekend. There are at least 16 other wounded people still in hospitals as a result of the shooting, including Sgt. Kimberly Munley who is believed to be the person responsible for shooting Hasan and stopping the rampage.

Investigators are asking for anyone who was near the shooting on the base to come forward as they gather forensic evidence and perform analysis of the crime scene. "The Fort Hood office of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is seeking any military or civilian personnel who may have left the scene ... with gunshot damage such as damaged privately owned vehicles, personnel clothing, etc.," investigators said in a written statement. "CID is also seeking any military or civilian personnel who may have inadvertently left the scene of this incident with material that could be used as firearms residue related evidence such as shell casings inside the boot, etc."

As the investigation continues, Hasan's own explanation will likely take center stage and there will certainly be questions as to his mental state at the time of the shooting. For the families of those that Hasan killed, the ongoing legal process will likely be an extraordinarily painful process.