Christian ex-soldier shoots 26 worshippers dead in US
TEXAS: A former bible studies volunteer teacher killed 26 people at a Texas church before locals shot him as he tried to escape, according to reports.
The suspect, former US soldier Devin Kelley, discharged from the service after an assault on his wife, used an assault rifle to kill children, a pregnant woman and other parishioners at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Kelley had previously volunteered as a teacher for bible studies at Kingsville First Baptist Church, according to his LinkedIn account, which shows a photo of him posing with a young child.
The gunman, dressed in black tactical gear, killed at least 26 worshippers and wounded 20 others at the white-steepled church in Texas on Sunday, carrying out the latest in a series of mass shootings that have plagued the US.
The lone suspect, also wearing a ballistic vest and carrying an assault rifle, fired into the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs and kept shooting after he went inside.
Sutherland Springs is in Wilson County, about 65 km east of San Antonio.
The victims ranged in age from 5 to 72 years old, law enforcement officials told a news conference.