HORSEHEADS - Craig "Bill" Tanner is the son of a WETM 18 news employee.He just got back from fighting in Afghanistan four months ago.
Now he's trying to comprehend why one of his brothers in arms started a shooting rampage.
“We’re trying to wind down and return back to a sense of normalcy after being deployed for the past year. And then this happens almost within an earshot. But everyone for the most part is trying to figure out why this would happen here”, said Tanner.
Craig Tanner, also know as Bill, joined the Marines right after high school, but now is a member of the U.S. Army
He says during the gunfire there was a lot of confusion about what was going on.
“Myself and my soldiers were approximately a half mile down the road where this actually took place. the loud speakers, the emergency sirens for like tornados went off telling everybody to go indoors, lock windows, shut doors, shut down ventilators and air conditioners”, said Tanner.
Tanner’s grandmother in Horseheads says she wasn't able to reach Bill after she heard the news.
“Actually I was thinking, I’ve got to hear their voices, I got to know they're alright”, said Earlene Tanner.
But then finally her phone rang.
“It was wonderful, it was a great relief to know that he's fine”, said Earlene Tanner.
“At least all my guys are used to having casualties, use to taking K.I.A.'s, having people shooting at them. Everybody today is acting like it's a normal day, but we are having a day of mourning on post”, said Tanner.
Tanner says he is looking forward to returning back to the Southern Tier to see family and friends.
