Authorities: 26 killed in Texas church shooting; resident fired at gunman

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas — A gunman walked up to a Texas church and opened fire with a rifle Sunday afternoon, ultimately leaving 26 people dead and 20 injured in the deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas history.

Authorities said Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, was dressed in all black and wearing a ballistic vest when he walked from a gas station across the street to First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs and began shooting with a Ruger AR.

Kelley shot and killed at least two people outside the church before moving inside and killing 23 more, authorities said at a press conference. One victim died after being transported to a hospital.

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When he left the building, a nearby resident fired at Kelley with a rifle, causing him to drop the Ruger and flee in a vehicle. Another resident followed him, authorities said.

Kelley was found in the crashed vehicle outside of town, dead of a gunshot wound. Police were not immediately certain if it was self-inflicted or caused by the resident firing at him.

The ages of the victims ranged from five to 72 years old, authorities said. Among them was pastor Frank Pomeroy’s 14-year-old daughter.

Pomeroy and his wife were out of town in separate cities on Sunday.

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