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UPDATE 11/6/17 11:25 a.m. EST:
New developments have emerged in the tragic Sunday morning shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, after a gunman opened fire in First Baptist Church, killing 26 people, while wounding 20 more.
Devin Kelley, the identified shooter, targeted the same church where his in-laws frequented, CNN reports. Kelley’s in-laws were not in attendance during the time of the attack. Authorities report a neighbor of the church fled his home, ran outside barefoot with his assault rifle and engaged with Kelley, who fled the scene. The neighbor then flagged down a truck driver and pursued the suspect, law enforcement officials say.
The 26-year-old was found dead in his vehicle–police say that evidence suggests Kelley died of a self-inflicted wound, but await an official autopsy report. Kelley was wearing all black, dressed in tactical gear, a mask and a bullet proof vest. Police found multiple guns in Kelley’s vehicle.
Kelley, a former member of the U.S. Air Force, was discharged in 2014. He was court-martialed in 2012 for assaulting his wife and child, NBC News reports.
Federal law restricts anyone who is dishonorably discharged from purchasing a fire arm. Kelley was denied a right-to-carry permit from the state of Texas, authorities report.
As many as 14 children were killed in the attack and 10 survivors are still in critical condition, law enforcement officials reported during a Monday morning press conference.
Donald Trump said the attack was not a “guns situation,” but was a “mental health problem at the highest level,” during a Monday press briefing with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He also said it was “a little bit too soon,” to delve into gun policy.
This is a developing story and we will provide updates as they become available.
UPDATE 11/5/17 5:45 p.m. EST: Officials ID Shooter After He Killed At Least 26 In South Texas Church
The man responsible for the deadly shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, has been identified as Devin Kelley. It’s being reported that he has killed 26 people — ranging in age from 5 to 72 years old — and wounded 20, authorities say.
According to the Daily Beast, here’s what we know about Kelley:
- Kelley, 26, was a resident of New Braunfels, a suburb of San Antonio, according to public records.
- Kelley was married and his mother-in-law listed a P.O. box in Sutherland Springs as a mailing address.
- A LinkedIn account appearing to belong to Kelley describes him as serving in the U.S. Air Force from his 2009 high-school graduation until 2013,
As we previously reported, Kelley was found dead at the scene, but the circumstances around his death have yet to be revealed to the media.
The Daily Beast also noted that a week before he committed the worst massacre at a place of worship in American history, Kelley posted a photo of an assault rifle to Facebook with the caption: “She’s a bad bitch.”
The Daily Beast also reported that one of the fatalities was the pastor’s 14-year-old daughter Annabelle Pomeroy. Her father Frank Pomeroy was not at the First Baptist Church during the time of the shooting because he was out of town in Oklahoma.
Pomeroy told ABC News that Annabelle “was one very beautiful special child.”
ORIGINAL STORY: 26 Dead In Texas Baptist Church Shooting
26 people have died after a gunman opened fire at a church in Texas during Sunday morning services.
According to NBC News, a single shooter walked into the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs and opened fire. Sutherland Springs is in Wilson County, about 30 miles east of San Antonio.
The lone shooter is believed to be dead, Wilson County Commissioner Albert Gamez Jr. told NBC. However it’s unclear if the shooter killed himself or if they were killed by police, CNN noted.
The shooter’s identity has yet to be released to the media.
Several other law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation also said “as many as 15 have been injured, but that number has yet to be confirmed.
According to CNN, a witness, a cashier at a gas station across the street from the church, said she heard about 20 shots being fired in quick succession while a church service was underway around 11:30 a.m. local time.
Politicians have flocked to Twitter to send their condolences.
“Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a post on Twitter.
“Our thanks to law enforcement for their response.”
President Donald Trump, travelling in Asia, later tweeted, “May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.”
Sherri Pomeroy, the wife of church pastor Frank Pomeroy, told NBC News that her husband was out of town at the time of the reported shooting, but that her daughter was inside the church.
When will these mass shootings stop? Sending our prayers to the First Baptist Church congregation.
https://twitter.com/MaxMasseyTV/status/927252802182754304
This is a developing story and we will provide updates as they become available.
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