What happened Jan. 13 in Eisenhauer's apartment outside the gates of Fort Bragg seems inexplicable to those who know him. Authorities say Eisenhauer opened fire on police and firefighters responding to a small fire on his apartment deck, then engaged in a prolonged shootout that nearly killed him. His attorney and family say the events make sense only in Eisenhauer's head, where he apparently thought he was defending his post from an attack by insurgents.

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"He hears the sounds of rushing footsteps up the stairwell and a loud banging on his door, and he flashes back to Afghanistan," Waple said. "He gets his Glock 19 pistol from under his mattress -- he's sleeping on the floor -- and he starts firing. That led to nearly a 90-minute shootout."

When police finally gained entry to the apartment, Eisenhauer was found bleeding heavily from four gunshot wounds, including one in the chest. Waple said "all the glass was shot out, there were three tear gas containers used, approximately 30 bullet holes inside the apartment." He described a "scene consistent with a combat environment."

When he regained consciousness in the hospital, his attorney said, his first words, charted by a nurse present, were "Who's got the roof?"