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'Multiple deaths' in shooting at Baptist church in south Texas – sheriff 'Multiple deaths' in shooting at Baptist church in south Texas – sheriff
(35 minutes later)
A sheriff said a man walked into a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday morning and started shooting, leaving multiple people dead.A sheriff said a man walked into a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday morning and started shooting, leaving multiple people dead.
It was not immediately known how many people were killed and wounded or who carried out the attack. The Wilson County News reported that Wilson County’s sheriff, Joe Tackitt, said the shooter had been taken down. It was not immediately known how many people were killed and wounded at First Baptist church in the small town 30 miles south-east of San Antonio, or who carried out the attack. The Wilson County News reported that Wilson County’s sheriff, Joe Tackitt, said the shooter had been taken down.
The sheriff of neighbouring Guadalupe County, Arnold Zwicke, told CNN there was a single suspect who was killed after a brief pursuit as he tried to flee the church. It was not clear if he took his own life or was brought down by law enforcers. The sheriff of neighbouring Guadalupe County, Arnold Zwicke, told CNN there was a single suspect who was killed after a brief pursuit as he tried to flee. It was not clear if the suspect took his own life or was brought down by law enforcers.
Texas governor Greg Abbott said in a tweet: “Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act. Our thanks to law enforcement for their response. More details from DPS (department of public safety) soon.” Donald Trump, who is on a five-country tour in Asia, 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.”
The incident happened around 11.30am local time. Witnesses close to the small church reported hearing a rapid barrage of about 20 shots. Texas’s governor, Greg Abbott, said in a tweet: “Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act. Our thanks to law enforcement for their response. More details from DPS [department of public safety] soon.”
First responders converged on the church in the small town of around 400 people about 30 miles south-east of San Antonio. Witnesses close to the small church reported hearing a rapid barrage of about 20 shots. Pastor Frank Buford of the neighbouring River Oaks church, just a few blocks away from the scene of the shooting, said relatives of victims had started to congregate at a makeshift community center.
Television stations KSAT and KENS reported a large police presence. A sheriff’s department dispatcher said everyone was at the scene and was unavailable to comment. “We’re holding up as well as we can – we are a strong community, we are strong in our faith,” he told local reporters.
Buford described Sutherland Springs as a close-knit community. “We have a post office, two churches and a dollar store,” he said.
His church received word that a shooting was under way at their sister place of worship at about 11.15am local time, he said. “We started praying for everyone involved in it,” he said.
The pastor of First Baptist, Frank Pomeroy, and his wife were said to be out of town on Sunday and not present when the shooting happened.
First responders converged on the small town of around 400 people. Television stations KSAT and KENS reported a large police presence. A sheriff’s department dispatcher said everyone was at the scene and was unavailable to comment.
KSAT reported that two Airlife helicopters were at the scene and broadcast video of several fire and police vehicles at the church and a photograph of a helicopter that the station said was arriving to take victims to hospitals.KSAT reported that two Airlife helicopters were at the scene and broadcast video of several fire and police vehicles at the church and a photograph of a helicopter that the station said was arriving to take victims to hospitals.
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