The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Shootings stemmed from family unrest
Gunman had threatened his mother-in-law
The gunman who opened fire in a small Texas church, killing 26 people, sent threatening text messages to his mother-in-law before the attack and had been confronted about domestic violence at least twice in the last five years, authorities said.
The deadliest mass shooting in state history claimed multiple members of some families, with the dead ranging in age from 18 months to 77 years, and tore gaping holes in a town with a population of just 400 people.
The massacre appeared to stem from a domestic situation and was not religiously motivated, said Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Director Freeman Martin.
Based on evidence at the scene, investigators believe Devin Patrick Kelley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he was chased by armed bystanders and crashed his car.
The 26-year-old gunman also used his mobile phone to tell his father that he had been shot and did not think he would survive, authorities said.
The investigation showed that Kelley had displayed a pattern of violence spanning years.
In 2014, sheriff’s deputies went to his home to investigate a domestic violence complaint involving him and his thengirlfriend. That same year, Kelley was discharged from the Air Force for assaulting his wife and child and had served 12 months’ confinement after a 2012 court-martial.
The gunman’s family relationships at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs were uncertain.
The sheriff said Kelley’s former inlaws sometimes attended services at the church but were not there on Sunday.
Mr Martin said the text messages were sent to the gunman’s mother-inlaw, who attended the church.
Once the shooting started, there was probably “no way” for congregants to escape, Wilson County Sheriff Joe D Tackitt Jr said.
The gunman, dressed in black tactical gear, fired an assault rifle as he walked down the centre aisle during worship services. He turned around and continued shooting on his way out of the building, Mr Tackitt said.
About 20 other people were wounded, 10 of whom were still in hospital in a critical condition.
On Sunday, the attacker pulled into a gas station across from the church, about 30 miles (48.28 km) south east of San Antonio, at around 11.20am. He crossed the street and started firing the rifle at the church, then continued firing after entering the white wood-frame building, Mr Martin said.
As he left, Kelley was confronted by an armed resident who “grabbed his rifle and engaged that suspect,” Mr Martin said. A short time later, the suspect was found dead in his vehicle at the county line.
Twenty-three of the dead were found in the church. Two were found outside and one died after being taken to a hospital, Mr Martin said.