Updated Monday at 12:10 a.m. ET
Federal authorities are investigating a shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, a small community southeast of San Antonio.
In a press conference Sunday night, an official from the Texas Department of Public Safety described the scene: Around 11:20 am, the suspect, dressed in black tactical gear, approached the church and began firing an assault rifle. He then entered the church and continued firing.
Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that at least 26 people were killed. A Texas Department of Public Safety official said the ages of the victims ranged from 5 to 72 years old. The AP reports that the pastor’s 14-year-old daughter is among the dead. In a news conference, Freeman Martin, a regional director of the Texas Department of Safety said 23 of those killed were found in the church, two were found outside the church and one died after being taken to a hospital.
The Department of Public Safety confirmed to NPR that at least 20 others were wounded. A DPS official said in the press conference that the gunman was confronted by an armed civilian outside of the church.
The shooter has been identified as Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, according to a law enforcement official. Kelley previously served in the U.S. Air Force in New Mexico from 2010 until he received a bad conduct discharge in 2014, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek tells NPR in an email. He was court-martialed in 2012 for assaulting his wife and child, and sentenced to 12 months’ confinement. Kelley died shortly after the attack. It’s unclear whether it was self-inflicted or whether he was shot by a resident.
Kelley lived in New Braunfels, northeast of San Antonio, records show. He attended New Braunfels High School, a classmate confirmed to KUT’s Mose Buchele.
In a statement, Tom Vinger of the Texas Department of Public Safety said, “The shooter was later found deceased in his vehicle in Guadalupe County. The exact circumstances of the gunman’s death are still under investigation. The wounded individuals were transported to San Antonio Medical Center and University Hospital in San Antonio.”
Less than a thousand people live in Sutherland Springs. Kelsey Bradshaw, a reporter for the San Antonio News Express, told NPR: “The number of people who are injured and killed make up about ten percent of the entire population.”
David Martin Davies of Texas Public Radio told NPR’s Noel King, “This is a blue jeans and working boots kind of church. It’s a big part of the community.”
Families in tears wait to see if their family and friends are safe. Praying for the safety of all those involved. pic.twitter.com/yjzK7lZJ1S
— Max Massey (@MaxMasseyTV) November 5, 2017
David Martin Davies of Texas Public Radio told NPR’s Noel King, “This is a blue jeans and working boots kind of church. It’s a big part of the community.”
“While the details of this horrific act are still under investigation, Cecilia and I want to send our sincerest thoughts and prayers to all those who have been affected by this evil act,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “I want to thank law enforcement for their response and ask that all Texans pray for the Sutherland Springs community during this time of mourning and loss.”
“It’s a small Baptist church. It’s an older building,” one witness who works nearby told MSNBC, adding that she heard “semiautomatic gunfire” from her vantage point about 150 yards away.
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2017
“I never thought it would happen here. This is something that happens in a big city. I would never have thought this would have taken place here. It’s just too tight a community. It doesn’t make sense.”
Local media report that law enforcement has closed off the the scene, where emergency vehicles line the streets and witnesses have told of several helicopters overhead. FBI agents have also arrived at the church. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tweeted that special agents from its San Antonio field office were on the scene.
President Trump says he is “monitoring the situation from Japan.”
“May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas,” Trump tweeted. “The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene.”
The President opened previously scheduled remarks in Tokyo Monday morning local time with “thoughts and prayers” for the victims.
“In dark times, and these are dark times, such as these, Americans do what they do best and pull together,” Trump said. “Through the tears and through the sadness we stand strong.” He said his administration would provide support to Texas and the local authorities investigating the shooting.
This is a developing story. Some things that get reported by the media will later turn out to be wrong. We will focus on reports from police officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.
