Parents targeting air force

UNITED STATES: The parents of one of the victims killed in the November 5 shooting rampage at a Texas church have filed a claim against the US Air Force, in what appears to be the first legal action in connection to the incident.

The administrative claim said the military acted negligently when it failed to report the criminal record of gunman Devin Kelly to a federal database that would have prevented him from legally purchasing a firearm.

Kelly killed 26 people and wounded more than 20 at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

The claim was filed by Joe and Claryce Holcombe, parents of Bryan Holcombe, who was fatally shot in the back while walking to the church pulpit to lead the congregation in worship.

The claim is the first step plaintiffs need to take if they want to sue an entity of the US government.

Legal experts have said the air force would not be able to claim federal immunity in the case, but cautioned that any lawsuits faced a prolonged uphill battle over specific legal questions.

Kelly was convicted five years ago by a general court-martial of assaulting his then-wife and stepson while he was in the air force, offences that made it illegal for him to possess a firearm.

The air force said in early November it did not enter that information into a federal database used in background checks for firearms purchases, something it was legally required to do.

Yesterday, the air force said there were at least several dozen cases of serious crimes involving its personnel that it failed to report to the federal database. –