Gunman kills 26 in church attack
CHILDREN as young as five and a pregnant woman were among the 26 people killed yesterday in a US church shooting spree that ended when an armed civilian opened fire on the gunman.
The massacre took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a small Texas community of about 400 people located about 48km south-east of San Antonio.
CBS and NBC, quoting law enforcement sources, said the gunman was Devin Patrick Kelley, 26. He died in his vehicle in a neighbouring county after being chased by a civilian who police said undoubtedly saved lives.
Freeman Martin from the Texas Department of Public Safety said as Kelley exited the church after the shootings “a local resident grabbed his rifle and engaged him”.
Johnnie Langendorff told KSAT he witnessed the end of the shooting. Kelley and the resident exchanged gunfire after Kelley left the church and escaped in his vehicle.
Mr Langendorff said he and the man then chased Kelley for several minutes.
Mr Martin told KSAT the armed resident who shot and chased Kelly prevented further mayhem.
Kelley was later found dead after going off the road in neighbouring Guadalupe County. It isn’t known if he took his own life or was killed by the civilian.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the death toll was 26, not including Kelley, with about 20 others wounded.
The victims ranged in age from five to 72. Twenty-three were found in the church, two outside and one died in hospital. A neighbour said there were about 50 people at the service.
An eight-year-old is reported to have survived by hiding among the pews.
Clad in black and wearing tactical gear and a ballistic vest, Kelley started firing a Ruger AR assault-type rifle at the church about 11.20am local time, before entering the building and opening fire.
Pastor Frank Pomeroy, who was not at the church during the massacre, told US broadcaster ABC his 14-year-old daughter Anabelle was among the dead.
“She was one beautiful, special child,” he said.
He believed “every one” of his family’s close friends had been killed.
The Pentagon said Kelley previously served in the Air Force.