Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that 26 people are dead and at least 20 people were taken to local hospitals after a shooter opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas on Sunday morning, about 35 miles southeast of San Antonio. The shooting began at 11:20 a.m. local time while a church service was underway.
Walter County, TX Commissioner Albert Gamez, Jr. confirmed to MSNBC that the shooter was killed; the Sheriff told CBS News on Monday that they believe the shooter killed himself. No motive has yet been determined by police. KENS 5 of San Antonio reports that a local resident who lived near the church engaged the shooter as he exited the building, causing the shooter to drop a weapon and flee.
The AP reports that the gunman did not have a license to carry a gun.
According to Texas’ Department of Public Safety, the victims range in age from 5 to 70. Included in the dead is Annabelle Pomeroy, the 14-year-old daughter of First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy.
At least 10 victims are being treated at University Hospital in San Antonio, according to a tweet from the hospital. According to Joint Base San Antonio, another 8 patients are at the Brooke Army Medical Center. Connally Memorial Medical Center revealed during a press conference Tuesday that they received 8 patients, with four of them eventually being transferred to University Hospital and three being treated and released. One patient remains as of Tuesday in stable condition, according to the hospital.
FBI officials are on-scene at the church, and officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were en route.
According to the AP, the Pentagon has confirmed that the shooter used to serve in the United States Air Force. The Daily Beast reports that he was given a “bad conduct” discharge from the USAF in 2014 after being court-martialed in 2012 for assaulting his wife and child, 12 months in confinement, and two rank reductions back to basic airman.
House Speaker @SpeakerRyan sends his prayers after shooting at Sutherland Springs, Texas church. https://t.co/oZDTvjoK6v pic.twitter.com/tNYUJlZsk4
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 5, 2017
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement to pool reporters saying that President Trump has been briefed several times on today’s events, and is continuing to receive regular updates.
“May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas,” tweeted the President. The Vice President added that “Karen & I send prayers to victims & their families in TX.We grieve w/ you & stand w/ resolve against evil. Thank you to the first responders.”
Who were the victims
DPS releases names of the deceased victims, including the name of the unborn child. #kens5eyewitness #SutherlandSpringsShooting pic.twitter.com/fy7Ohs76vz
— Sharon Ko (@SharonKoTV) November 8, 2017
