Kathy Abad, a military wife, prays for the victims and families affected by the Fort Hood shooting during a memorial service at the Tabernacle Baptist Church on Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Killeen, Texas.

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - Investigators say the rampage that left three dead and 16 wounded last week at Fort Hood was related to the shooter's request for leave from the Army post.

Army spokesman Chris Grey did not indicate during a brief news conference Monday whether Spc. Ivan Lopez was granted the leave.

Grey says the shooting spree Wednesday covered the equivalent of two city blocks as Lopez drive from one area to another on the Central Texas base randomly firing at soldiers.

Authorities have said the shooting was preceded by a verbal altercation Lopez had with other soldiers in his unit.