A gunman wearing a bulletproof vest has opened fire with an assault rifle on the congregation of a Texas church, killing 26 people and injuring dozens more.
Kim Buckley has this report:
They were gunned down at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs - a rural community of around 400 people.
The victims range in age -from five to 72 - and include a pregnant woman and the 14-year-old daughter of the church's pastor, who was out of town with his wife.
20 other people were injured in the massacre in Sutherland Springs - south east of San Antonio.
Texas DPS official confirms ages of victims in the First Baptist Church shooting range from 5 to 72 years old. https://t.co/RHVhraz4Qd pic.twitter.com/C8KT7y4Mfk
— ABC News (@ABC) November 6, 2017
Profoundly saddened by the shootings in Sutherland Springs today. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families and friends.
— Irish Consulate (@IrelandCGAustin) November 6, 2017
The Pentagon has confirmed the suspect - who was found dead in a car - previously served in the US Air Force.
26 year old Devin Patrick Kelly lived ten miles from the church, and is married with a two year old child.
He was discharged from the Air Force in 2014 for assaulting his family.
Texas shooting witness says he and man with rifle pursued suspect as he fled, helping authorities track him down. https://t.co/kjWDogZ29i pic.twitter.com/NaHdP5ZrKH
— ABC News (@ABC) November 6, 2017
Speaking in Japan, President Donald Trump said the thoughts and prayers of Americans are with those affected:
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
...Americans do what we do best: we pull together. We join hands. We lock arms and through the tears and the sadness, we stand strong... pic.twitter.com/qkCPgtKGkA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2017
