Obama calls mass shooting at US army base horrific

Washington: US President Barack Obama on Thursday called the mass shooting at Fort Hood military base in which at least 12 people were killed and 31 wounded a "horrific outburst of violence".

"It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an army base on American soil," Obama said after delivering closing remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Department of Interior.

White House officials earlier briefed the president on the shooting as he prepared to meet visiting Botswana President Ian Khama in the Oval office.