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posted by takyon on Monday November 06 2017, @02:25AM   Printer-friendly
At Least 26 Dead After Gunman Opens Fire In South Texas Church

Federal authorities are responding to a shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, a small community southeast of San Antonio.

In a press conference Sunday night, an official from the Texas Department of Public Safety described the scene: Around 11:20 am, the suspect, dressed in black, approached the church and began firing an assault rifle. He then entered the church and continued firing.

Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed that at least 26 people were killed. A Texas Department of Public Safety official said the ages of the victims ranged from 5 to 72 years old. The AP reports that the pastor's 14-year-old daughter is among the dead.

The Department of Public Safety confirmed to NPR that at least 20 others were wounded. A DPS official said in the press conference that the gunman was confronted by an armed civilian outside of the church.

The shooter, who was found dead in neighboring Guadalupe County, has been identified as Devin Kelley, 26, a former Air Force member.

 
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 06 2017, @07:11AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 06 2017, @07:11AM (#592911)

    . The problem is to tackle the increasing echo chambers and media leading to radicalization and extremism

    I'M all ears. You think banning echo chambers can work?
    No? How about... you try a post showing respect for the other and willing need for dialogue?

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 06 2017, @03:33PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 06 2017, @03:33PM (#593098)

    Echo chambers are only harmful when aggregated on a massive scale, so yes something could be done to meaningfully deter them. The more important question is, is that a good idea? I'd intuitively say of course but with actions on this level there are always a million unintended consequences. So I'm not sure simply 'banning' echo chambers is a solution. What I do know is that in the US private corporations are increasingly becoming a proxy for the government - or perhaps the government is becoming a proxy for corporations. From things like NSA intermingling with companies, to the revolving door of DC, regulatory capture, and more. And so many of the inalienable rights we demand of the government are increasingly being snuffed away under the guise of private enterprise. This includes, perhaps most importantly of all, free speech. The mutual suppression of free speech is leading to mutual echo chambers, which finally leads to mutual radicalism. Perhaps rather than banning echo chambers, it would make more sense to begin view platforms that offer free access to publication platforms as something different than regular companies - because they most certainly are.