Cascade teen "happy to be home" after Colorado shooting

CASCADE — 15-year-old Katie Trakel was in Theater 8 at the Aurora, Colorado theater when 24-year-old James Holmes is accused of entering Theater 9 and opening fire during the midnight showing of Dark Knight Rises on Friday, July 20th. Early Tuesday morning, Trakel and her family returned home, and talked with FOX6 News at the airport.

Trakel traveled to Colorado with her family for the National Stuttering Convention. She’s made friends from all over the country during the annual event. She went with a group of them to the Century 16 theater Thursday night, July 19th.

Trakel was in Theater 8. The gunman chose Theater 9. She said she could hear the gunfire, but thought it was special effects.

The flags are being flown at half-staff at Cascade's Village Hall -- a sign of the national tragedy that hit close to home.

Hearts and "welcome home" signs were placed outside the Trakel's home.

On Tuesday, it was back home for the Trakel family, and back to work for Katie at her job teaching young children.

"I'm really thankful that all of my friends are okay and we're okay, and we're finally home," Katie Trakel said.

Katie Trakel is a high school sophomore. She says a friend she was with during a Dark Knight Rises showing on opening night was struck in the arm by a bullet that came through the wall.

Katie said she texted her family following the incident, saying: "I know you and mom are both sleeping. There were shots fired in the theater. We are all fine. Gage (Katie's friend) was shot in the arm and going to the hospital."

Katie's father said once he heard what happened, he couldn't wait to see his daughter and know she was okay.

"It was the very first time in my life I was helpless. I couldn't get down to the lounge quick enough to grab her," Katie's father said.

Katie's father said he believes there is a hero in every child, and that with Katie's bravery and composure during this tragedy, he got to see that hero in his own child.

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