Wounded man's father says he was one of luckier ones

Belcourt, N.D. (AP) A Belcourt man says his son was treated for wounds from bullet fragments during Thursday's shooting spree at a Texas Army base.

Patrick Blue Jr., says his son, 23-year-old Patrick Blue III, was one of the luckier ones.

The younger Blue is a sergeant with the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Fort Hood. His father says he was in another room with an officer when they heard shots and ran to the scene.

He says his son was treated for bullet fragments in his side and was back in his apartment last night.

Patrick Blue Jr., said his son has been deployed twice to Iraq and has been in therapy to deal with mental trauma.

He says his son had seen the alleged shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, at the base but did not know him well. But Blue says it was a shock to learn that an Army psychiatrist, who was supposed to be helping soldiers, is accused of being the shooter.

The elder Blue says his son "doesn't know what to think about even going back to therapy." (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-07-09 1453CST | save this article / add to your favorites list