Updated: 11/06/2009 5:42 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Becky Nahm

1 St. Paul Soldier Killed, 1 Wounded at Fort Hood

Two soldiers from St. Paul were victims of the shootings at the Fort Hood Army Base in Texas.

Specialist Kham Xiong, 23, was killed and 21-year-old reservist Keara Bono Torkelson was wounded.

Xiong had been at Fort Hood for five months preparing for a New-Year's deployment, according to his family. His relatives said he was in line waiting for a physical when he was shot.

Torkelson was shot in the back but is reportedly doing well.

Her mother Peggy McCarty said, "She said she was shot in the back and that she was grazed on the head, but she's okay and they got the bullet right out."

As of Friday morning, McCarty had only spoken to her daughter. She had not seen her. However the family was told Torkelson had been released from the hospital.

Torklelson, formerly of Kansas City, married Joey Torkelson of Otsego in the last two months.

Her grandmother Margaret Neal said the Torkelsons were talking to each other on the phone when the shooting started.

Torkelson's family said she was excited to go and fight for her country, but now her service is on hold.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.