An Afton man is injured after a deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood and Texas.

A gunman opened fire, killing 13 and wounding 30 on Thursday.

One was Army Specialist Matthew Cooke, a graduate of Afton High School.

Action News Reporter Caitlin Nuclo spoke to Cooke's mother, who says he'll recover.

"It was just so unreal. And it was all that was echoing through my head last night, he's been hit," said Diane Marie Frappier.

A mothers reaction after hearing her son was shot three times in the back.

30-year old Army Specialist Matthew Cooke grew up in the Afton area.

After serving two tours of duty in Iraq, he was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas.

The scene of a deadly shooting rampage Thursday, which left 13 people dead and 30 injured.

Matthew was one of the wounded.

"I couldn't believe it. Your sons at the biggest military base in the US, and he's been hit," said Frappier.

Frappier was watching it all unfold on TV, anxiously awaiting news of her son.

Matthew went through almost 8 hours of surgery, and then slipped into a coma.

Frappier says he was shot after he tried to help another injured person.

The three bullets just missed Matthew's spinal cord and all of his vital organs.

"I think this is going to be a life changing event for him, the injuries he's had," said Frappier.

The gunman opened fire at the bases Readiness Center.

Where soldiers being deployed or returning from Iraq and Afghanistan undergo medical treatment.

Matthew was preparing for his third tour overseas, this time to Afghanistan.

Friday afternoon, his mother got the call she was waiting for.

"I got to hear his voice finally. He didn't say much. He just said Ma," said Frappier.

A voice of encouragement to settle a worried mother, as she finds strength to support him in his battle to recover.

The family was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church in Bainbridge.

Frappier says she's thankful for the many prayers and well wishes her family has received.

Cooke's father and sister live in the Sidney area.

We're told they are on their way to Texas.

Diane will follow.