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At least 20 killed in shooting at Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas At least 20 killed in shooting at Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas
(35 minutes later)
A single shooter walked into a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas on Sunday morning and opened fire as the congregation was in the throes of its weekly service, leaving at least 20 worshippers dead and many more injured. A single shooter walked into a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas on Sunday morning and opened fire as the congregation was in its weekly service, leaving at least 20 worshippers dead and many more injured.
The precise number of those killed and wounded at First Baptist church remained unconfirmed as they gathered to pray in the small town 30 miles south-east of San Antonio. Nor was it known who carried out the attack. The precise number of those killed and wounded at First Baptist church, in the small town 30 miles south-east of San Antonio, remained unconfirmed. Nor was it known who carried out the attack.
San Antonio Express-News reported that according to federal agents the number of dead could be as high as 28. Other local dispatches suggested that was about half of the worshippers in attendance.San Antonio Express-News reported that according to federal agents the number of dead could be as high as 28. Other local dispatches suggested that was about half of the worshippers in attendance.
The Wilson County News reported that Wilson County’s sheriff, Joe Tackitt, said the shooter had been taken down. The single suspect was killed after a brief pursuit that crossed county lines into neighboring Guadalupe County as he tried to flee. It was not clear if the suspect took his own life or was brought down by law enforcers. The single suspect was killed after a brief pursuit that crossed county lines into neighbouring Guadalupe County, 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, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas 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, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas 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.”
A local television station, 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 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. Eight others were taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.A local television station, 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 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. Eight others were taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
Witnesses close to the small church reported hearing a rapid barrage of about 20 gunshots. “It was very close,” Carrie Matula, who had been working in a store across the street from the church, told CNN. “It was semi-automatic, rapid fire. This is just devastating in a small town like this.”Witnesses close to the small church reported hearing a rapid barrage of about 20 gunshots. “It was very close,” Carrie Matula, who had been working in a store across the street from the church, told CNN. “It was semi-automatic, rapid fire. This is just devastating in a small town like this.”
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.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.
“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. “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 Sherri were out of town on Sunday and not present when the shooting happened. But in a text to Associated Press, Sherri Pomeroy said their 14-year-old daughter had died inside the church.
The pastor of First Baptist, Frank Pomeroy, and his wife Sherri were out of town on Sunday and not present when the shooting happened. She added that in addition to her child, she had lost “many friends” in the massacre.
The shooting comes a month after a gunman opened fire on an open-air concert in Las Vegas, leaving 58 dead and 546 injured. The tiny nature of the location in Texas, which has just 400 residents, and the location inside one of two churches in the community, presents its own form of horror and challenges to first responders, law enforcers and community leaders.The shooting comes a month after a gunman opened fire on an open-air concert in Las Vegas, leaving 58 dead and 546 injured. The tiny nature of the location in Texas, which has just 400 residents, and the location inside one of two churches in the community, presents its own form of horror and challenges to first responders, law enforcers and community leaders.
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.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, copious flowers and plenty of singing to the accompaniment of electric and accoustic guitars. On one recent Sunday a Harley-Davidson motorbike was parked in front of the altar.The recordings capture a homely, small church with many small children in attendance, copious flowers and plenty of singing to the accompaniment of electric and accoustic guitars. On one recent Sunday a Harley-Davidson motorbike was parked in front of the altar.
Nannette Kilbey-Smith, editor of the local Wilson County News, told CNN First Baptist was “your quintessential small community church. White painted, wood pews, small-town America, where people go to worship and pray and gather and celebrate – it’s a very vibrant church.”Nannette Kilbey-Smith, editor of the local Wilson County News, told CNN First Baptist was “your quintessential small community church. White painted, wood pews, small-town America, where people go to worship and pray and gather and celebrate – it’s a very vibrant church.”