Zanesville Grad in Fort Hood Building

This Fort Hood tradegy has a close connection to our area, 26-year-old Army Specialist Cathy Colen, a Zanesville High School graduate, was in the building at the time of the shooting.

Colen was a floor-up from where the shooting took place and texted her mother today to let her know she was safe. Her family says the trained field medic used her skills to save lives.

"She had to actually change her clothes because she was covered in so much blood that’s how bad it was, she’s now in scrubs right now, says Robert Tompkins Jr., Colen’s brother.

Colen had just gotten to Fort Hood on leave from fighting in the Middle East.

"How would you like to come home and all of the sudden here you are at home and all breaks lose?" says Robert Tompkins Sr., Colen’s father.

The family says they are counting their blessings tonight that Colen is safe and they’re proud she was able to help.

"She could have been shot if she wasn’t a couple of floors up. I was like really shocked. I’m glad she wasn’t down there. I’m glad she could get down there in time to save the rest of the Army personnel," says Tompkins Jr.

But they say there are still a lot of questions left to be answered about the horrible tradegy.

"Somebody’s boys dead, somebody elses daughters dead. Mines still alive thank god, but to happen on U.S. grounds. Come on guys!" says Tompkins Sr.

All personnell on the base were put on lock down. Colen is scheduled to return to the Middle East next week.