HORROR IN TEXAS
CHURCH MASSACRE
A DISGRUNTLED former air force pilot and bible studies teacher yesterday committed America’s worst church massacre before being killed in a shootout with a rifle-wielding neighbour.
Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, killed 26 when he opened fire on congregants at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, 45 minutes south-east of San Antonio, Texas, about 11.20am local time Sunday.
It was the largest mass shooting in Texas, the worst on a house of worship — and the fifth deadliest in the bloodsoaked gun violence history of the US.
The top two — Las Vegas and the Pulse nightclub shootings — happened last month and last year, respectively claiming 58 and 49 lives.
President Donald Trump promised a full investigation into the shooting as a taskforce made up of the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Texas Rangers and local police last night worked to identify the victims.
“In dark times such as these, Americans do what we do best: we pull together. We join hands. We lock arms,” Mr Trump said from Japan.
Authorities could offer no motive for what drove Kelley, a married resident of nearby suburban New Braunfels, to turn on churchgoers in the tight-knit country town, striking victims aged from five to 72 years old.
There were reports his mother-in-law lived in Sutherland Springs.
Kelley was dressed entirely in black as he parked at a convenience store and petrol station across from the white wooden church shortly after the 11am service started.
As he crossed the dusty road, Kelley aimed semiautomatic gunfire at two people outside the church, killing them.
He was wearing a ballistics vest as he entered the white wooden building and opened fire, killing 23 worshippers and injuring at least 20 more.
Hearing gunfire, an unidentified man who lived next to the church grabbed his own rifle and headed towards the shooter, said Freeman Martin, regional director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“As he exited the church, a local resident engaged the sus- pect,” Mr Martin said. “The suspect dropped his rifle, which was a Ruger AR assault-type rifle and fled from the church. Our local citizen pursued the suspect.”
Mr Martin said Kelley was found dead by police a short time later in his white car, which had run off the road at the edge of a neighbouring county.
“At this time, we don’t know if it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound or if he was shot by our local resident who engaged him in gunfire,” Mr Martin said.
The fact Kelley, whose car was packed with firearms, was stopped by a fellow-gun owner, was seized upon by gun rights advocates, many of whom argue they need weapons to keep themselves safe.
While the National Rifle Association did not issue any official comment in the hours after the massacre, supporters reflected on social media that the neighbour’s actions would not have been possible if he was not armed.
Johnnie Langendorf was driving past the church just moments after Kelley opened fire on parishioners .
As the gunman fled, the neighbour — fired on him with his own rifle.
Langendorf saw this exchange of gunfire and stopped to assist, he told TV news outlet KSAT 12.
“The shooter had taken off, fled in his vehicle,” the good Samaritan said.
“I just acted and got [the bystander] off the road.
“He explained very quickly what happened and he got in the truck. I knew it was time to go.”
They chased Kelley for some time at high speed, reaching 150km/h, before the killer crashed.
“He lost control. I put the vehicle in park, the other gentleman got out. He had his rifle drawn but [the shooter] didn’t move after that.”
Mr Langendorf said he didn’t know who the other hero was. “I was strictly just acting on what’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott described the shooting as an evil act.
“There are so many families who have lost family members. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters,” Governor Abbott said, his voice breaking.
“The tragedy is so much worse that this took place in a place of worship.”
There are so many families who have lost family members. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters