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Multiple deaths in shooting at Baptist church in south Texas Multiple deaths in shooting at Baptist church in south Texas
(35 minutes later)
A Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas was the sight of a major mass shooting on Sunday morning after a man walked into the church and opened fire, leaving multiple worshippers dead and many more injured. A Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas was the scene of a major mass shooting on Sunday morning after a man walked into the church and opened fire, leaving multiple worshippers dead and many more injured.
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.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. It was not clear if the suspect 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.
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.”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.”
In a statement, Texas governor 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.”In a statement, Texas governor 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.”
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 centre where water and food was being brought to offer them some sustenance.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 centre where water and food was being brought to offer them some sustenance.
“We’re holding up as well as we can – we are a strong community, we are strong in our faith,” he told local reporters.“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, which has only about 400 residents, as a close-knit community. “We have a post office, two churches and a dollar store,” he said.Buford described Sutherland Springs, which has only about 400 residents, 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.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. The pastor of First Baptist, Frank Pomeroy, and his wife Sherri were 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 KENS5 reported a large police presence. A sheriff’s department dispatcher said everyone was at the scene and was unavailable to comment.First responders converged on the small town of around 400 people. Television stations KSAT and KENS5 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. At least 10 victims, several with gunshot wounds, were taken to Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville, and other hospitals in the area were also being called upon for help. 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. At least 10 victims, several with gunshot wounds, were taken to Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville, and eight others were taken to the University Hospital in San Antonio.
A reporter for the local CBS franchise, KENS5, who was at the scene moments after the shooting began, said Sutherland Springs was a community where “everybody knows everybody going generations back”.A reporter for the local CBS franchise, KENS5, who was at the scene moments after the shooting began, said Sutherland Springs was a community where “everybody knows everybody going generations back”.
“Most people have lived here their whole lives,” the reporter said.“Most people have lived here their whole lives,” the reporter said.
As the FBI and local law enforcers begin to piece together what happened, it is possible that they will be assisted by the church’s own video footage. First Baptist was in the habit of recording all its Sunday services and posting them on YouTube.
The recordings capture a homely, small church with many small children in attendance, flowers by the altar and plenty of singing to the accompaniment of electric and accoustic guitars.