Opinions and expert commentary are zinging through the media like Ricochet Rabbit today. As the story behind the Fort Hood shootings continues to develop, I am attempting to separate the facts from the guesses.

This is what we know, as of this evening:

• The suspected shooter's name is Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan
• Hasan was an army psychiatrist and about to be deployed - some reports say to Iraq, others to Afganistan
• Hasan is the sole suspect in the shooting
• Hasan is a Muslim
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), along with other prominent Muslim groups, has condemned the attack
• Hasan was fired on by Police Officer Kimberly Munley five minutes after the first 911 call came in
• Officer Munley took several gun shot wounds but continued to fire until Hasan went down
• The suspected shooter is currently on a ventilator in stable condition
• Soldiers in the vicinity responded quickly and heroically, treating the wounded and sealing off a nearby crowded auditorium
• Fort Hood operates like a small city, and soldiers living on base do not carry firearms as a matter of practice
• 13 are dead
• Roughly 30 are wounded
• All but two of the victims were soldiers

This is either conjecture or, at best, unconfirmed:

• Some of the dead or injured were hit by friendly fire
• The suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar!" before opening fire
• Hasan was known to have made extremist postings on the Internet as well as disturbing private statements about his disdain for the military

The real facts of this case are coming to light even as I type. Based on what we know a picture emerges of a disturbed loaner and a brave community reacting decisively to an attack.

I was quite discouraged listening to the radio today as callers and broadcasters who couldn't possibly have collected enough information to form a sound opinion, nevertheless fired off authoritative commentary on what caused this tragedy and how it could have been averted.

It was up the first responders to act quickly - instinctively - to end this attack. It is up to the rest of us to calmly and thoroughly gather information before making any pronouncements or policy decisions. In security, we must avoid making decisions based on the raw emotion of the moment. And we must shun feel-good responses that give the appearance of action but do little to actually make people safer.

Risk can never be eliminated. It can only be managed. All we can really do today is to fly our flags at half mast, and pray for those grieving and recovering in the wake of this madness.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about bullying in the work place. This week we learned that two of England's iconic Beefeaters have been suspended for allegedly bullying Yeoman Warder Moira Cameron.

Cameron is the first woman to serve on the corps of Tower Guards tasked with protecting the Crown Jewels. Accoring to a story that broke earlier this week, she has been the target of repeated harassment by her male counterparts. Tower of London officials are investigating the allegations.

The Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, as the Beefeaters are properly titled, were organized in 1485. According to a popular theory, their knick-name was inspired by the extra ration of beef that the guards used to receive. In order to qualify for this position, candidates must have served at least 22 years in the Army, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force retiring as a non-commisioned officer.

Photo: Getty Images

A recent article in CSO Online identified these common physical security transgressions:

• Creating post orders without advanced analysis
• Placing aesthetics over security
• Neglecting to properly secure certain entrances
• Allowing management to ignore security rules
• Failing to take time to understand your technology
• Failing to secure important rooms inside the building
• Overdoing security

If you think you may be guilty of one or more, I recommend that you read the full article to learn the path of repentance.

Further Reading

Astrid Desrosiers, a therapist at Massachusettes General Hospital Clinic, screamed as she was being attacked by a patient. While others fled, off-duty security guard Paul Langone rushed towards the scene of the frantic stabbing and ordered the assailant to drop his weapon. When he refused, Langone opened fire and killed him.

Langone is a private security officer licensed by the Boston Police Department. Although not employed at MGH, he was the only person who responded to Desrosiers' attack and most likely saved her life.

A routine investigation has so far determined that there was no wrong-doing on Langone's part. He is being hailed as a hero.

A former Golden Gloves boxer, Langone is known as an easy-going guy with a knack for defusing tense situations. "That's what he was good at," said his boss, Chris Spaeda. "He knew how to talk to people, and that's what makes this a tragedy.''

Further Reading

Do You Need an Armed Guard?

Readers Respond: Share Your Experience with Armed Guards