Investigators are calling Thursday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood, "the worst mass killing ever on a U.S. Military Base."


Ludlow was outside a building that was less than 75 yards from where this shooting massacre began.

"The one thing I keep seeing over and over in my head," said Ludlow. "One soldier, who pretty much had no face."

"We went outside to smoke a cigarette, and the next thing we know gunshots," added Ludlow.

Ludlow dropped to the ground,saw the shooter and took off running alongside dozens and dozens of his fellow soldiers.

"Growing up in Nederland," said Ludlow. "You don't see stuff like that."

Ludlow says soldiers were defenseless on Thursday because nobody carries a weapon on base,unless it is for training.

Among the 13 causalities, there are no reports of Southeast Texans.

Claudia Tyler was working in Beaumont when she heard the tragic news. Her nephew Andre Caesar, a former KBMT employee, had
just stepped off the base for lunch.

"He was very emotional," said Tyler. " He couldn't believe this happened."

Overcome with emotion, Tyler says this tragedy has given her a new perspective on life.

"I have a son real close in age with Andre," added Tyler. "It could have happened to him, it could have happened to my son. I really had to sit down and collect myself.

While the motive in this shooting is still unclear, what is clear is Private David Ludlow's ultimate sacrifice.

"I signed up for this knowing I'd be put in this situation," said an emotional Ludlow over the phone. "Whether it be here in America or overseas, it doesn't change my thoughts."