Texas church shooting: What we know so far
A lone gunman opened fire inside a Baptist church in the US state of Texas killing at least 26 people, including the 14-year-old daughter of the church pastor. The shooter was found dead in his vehicle.
Sunday massacre
A gunman opened fire inside the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas on Sunday as the congregation was attending a morning service. At least 26 people were killed and 20 others were wounded in the shooting. Texas governor Greg Abbott said it was the deadliest shooting in the state's history.
Where was the shooting?
The shooting took place in the small Texas community of Sutherland Springs, located around 76 miles (122 kilometers) southwest of Austin. Between 400 and 700 people live in the rural community.
What happened?
The gunman first opened fire outside the church around 11:30 in the morning, killing two people outside. He continued to fire as he entered the church, walking down the center aisle and shooting on his way back out, according to Texas officials. The shooter then exchanged gunfire with a local resident and was chased in his car. The suspect crashed his vehicle and reportedly shot himself.
Who are the victims?
Officials said 26 people died in the attack while another 20 were wounded. The shooting victims include neighbors and multiple family members, ranging in age from 5 to 72-years-old. The dead include the 14-year-old daughter of Pastor Frank Pomeroy, the church leader told ABC News. A pregnant woman and her in-laws were also reportedly among those killed.
What do we know about the shooter?
Texas officials identified the shooter as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley. He received a bad conduct discharge from the US Air Force in 2014 for allegedly assaulting his wife and child, an Air Force spokeswoman said. The Kelley was dressed entirely in black, tactical-style gear and was wearing a ballistic vest when he fired on the church.
What do we know about the weapon?
The gunman appeared to use an assault rifle during the attack, authorities said. Police are investigating one of the suspect's posts on social media that appeared to show an AR-15 style semi-automatic weapon. Authorities also uncovered two handguns from the suspect's crashed car.
A community in shock
Local residents held a candlelight vigil for the victims on Sunday night. Described as a tight-knit community with two gas stations, two churches and a post office, Sutherland Springs has been rocked by the shooting. Several people wounded in the shooting are still in the hospital , including three children and two adults.