Gunman in Texas church shooting ID'd

26 killed, 20 wounded in mass shooting; Gunman dead

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas – A shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday morning left 26 people -- ranging in age from 5 to 72 years old -- dead and 20 wounded, authorities say. 

Devin Patrick Kelley, of New Braunfels, has been identified as the gunman.

Kelley walked into the First Baptist Church and began shooting around 11:20 a.m., before fleeing in a vehicle, Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt said. Witnesses said Kelley was dressed in all black tactical gear and a ballistic vest and a Department of Public Safety official said he was carrying a Ruger ARb assault-type rifle.

Tackitt said Kelley was later found dead in the vehicle in Guadalupe County. The exact circumstances of his death are not known.

Johnnie Langendorff told WKMG news partner KSAT-TV's Garret Brngr that he witnessed the end of the shooting and said another man and Kelley exchanged gunfire after Kelley left the church. Langendorff said he and the man chased Kelley for several minutes in their vehicle.

Eight survivors were taken to Brooke Army Medical Center via medical helicopter. Their conditions are not known. Others were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

The FBI and the Texas Rangers, as well as agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, are investigating.

The church is located in the 500 block of 4th Street in the small, south Texas town about 40 miles east of San Antonio.

First victim named

First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy tells ABC News that his 14-year-old daughter Annabelle Renee Pomeroy is among the deceased.

Pomeroy was in Oklahoma at the time of the shooting. He tells ABC News he is driving back now.

He said every one of our close friends is amongst the deceased

Pomeroy said he wants the world to know his daughter “was one very beautiful special child”

Kelley's service record

The Pentagon has confirmed that Kelley previously served in the Air Force.

In a brief statement, the Pentagon says Kelley was an airman "at one point," but additional details about his time in the Air Force were not immediately available.

"Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act," said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in a tweet Sunday afternoon. "Our thanks to law enforcement for their response."

Breaking news outside Floresville in Sutherland Springs a shooting inside a church with multiple victims.

Posted by KSAT 12 & KSAT.com on Sunday, November 5, 2017

President Donald Trump released a statement Sunday night in response to the deadly shooting:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families of today’s murderous attack in Sutherland Springs, Texas. This horrible act of evil occurred as the victims and their families were in their place of sacred worship.  We cannot put into words the pain and grief we all feel, and we cannot begin to imagine the suffering of those who lost the ones they loved. Our hearts are broken.

"But in dark times such as these, Americans do what we do best: we pull together.  We join hands.  We lock arms.  And through the tears and the sadness, we stand strong.

"My Administration is providing its full support to the state and local authorities investigating this horrible crime. I have spoken with Governor Abbott, and we offer our thanks to the first responders who ultimately stopped the suspect and rendered immediate and lifesaving aid to the victims of this shooting. I will continue to follow developments closely.

"All of America is praying to God to help the wounded and the families – we will never leave their side."

This is a developing story. Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for more information as it becomes available. 

KSAT, CNN and The Associated Press contributed to this report.


About the Authors:

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.

Max Massey is the GMSA weekend anchor and a general assignments reporter. Max has been live at some of the biggest national stories out of Texas in recent years, including the Sutherland Springs shooting, Hurricane Harvey and the manhunt for the Austin bomber. Outside of work, Max follows politics and sports, especially Penn State, his alma mater.

Recommended Videos