At least 20 people have been killed in a church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, according to Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt. The shooter has been killed after a brief chase north according Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Robert Murphy.
Speaking at news conference, Freeman Martin, regional director for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said the shooter was dressed in all black, tactical-type gear when he opened fire on the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
• The suspect was seen at 11:20 a.m. this morning at a Valero gas station in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
• The suspect crossed the street to the church, exited his vehicle and began firing at the church.
He then moved to the right side of the church and then continued to fire. The suspect entered the church and continued to fire.
• As he exited the church, a local resident grabbed his rifle and engaged the suspect. The suspect dropped his Ruger AR assault-type rifle and fled from the church.
• A local citizen followed the suspect.
• As law enforcement responded to the scene, the suspect crashed.
• The suspect was found dead in the vehicle.
• Police don’t know if the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound of if he was shot by a local resident.
The suspect:• Young, white male, in his early 20s
• He wore a ballistic vest
• Multiple weapons found in the vehicle
• A bomb squad is searching the vehicle
Wilson County Commissioner Albert Gamez Jr. said,
“My heart is broken. We never think where it can happen, and it does happen. It doesn’t matter where you’re at. In a small community, real quiet and everything, and look at this, what can happen.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said,
“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. 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.”
Trump, who is in Japan tweeted,
“May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas.”
A lot of good that does.
This is a developing story.
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
Multiple fatalities reported after a gunman opened fire in a Sutherland Springs, Texas church https://t.co/B8eC1VUup6 pic.twitter.com/SIpHAVA1R7
— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) November 5, 2017
JUST IN: 27 dead in Texas church shooting, law enforcement official says; 27 injured. pic.twitter.com/e51JYyxz7S
— Jared Ogden (@JaredOgden11) November 5, 2017
Witnesses reports that half of the congregation in Texas shooting are dead (with other half injured).
This is a massacre of a whole church.
— PeterSweden (@PeterSweden7) November 5, 2017
(Photo, Twitter; via CNN)
