WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Wounded Ala. soldier confronts Ft. Hood gunman

Wounded Ala. soldier confronts Ft. Hood gunman

Posted by: Melissa McKinney - bio | email

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - "I thank God that I'm able to walk," says Warrant Officer Chris Royal.

Royal is a veteran of military combat, but he never thought he'd see a massacre--much less one here on U.S. soil.

"This one particular soldier...he had a bad day," says Royal.

Royal was inside the building when Major Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire.

He ran outside...but not to escape.

"I waited on him to come out so I could try to apprehend him," says Royal.

The gunman followed him out.

"He saw me before I could get to him and he turned his weapon on me and started firing."

Royal ran to warn a crowd of people on post for a graduation ceremony.

"There was probably about 400-500 people.  I was able to run ahead of the shooter and let them know he was out there."

At first, Royal didn't know he had been hit three times.

But after a day in the hospital, he's home recovering.

"I'm thankful that I'm able to be here with my kids and wife."

He has a message for the man who almost took his life.

"I'm praying for him as well.  I'm praying for his family because they're humans just like we are."

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