Fort Hood shooting first responder became a therapist to help fellow survivors and veterans process trauma

FORT HOOD, Texas (KWTX) - Troy Merritt helped save seven lives during the tragic 2009 Fort Hood shooting.

Now, as Nidal Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted of the shooting, nears his execution date, Merritt is reflecting on the trauma that followed and the unexpected career path it set him on.

Merritt was a member of the Division West First Army at Fort Hood and was attending a graduation ceremony the day of the shooting.