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At Least 26 Killed in Sutherland Springs, Texas Church Shooting

posted by takyon on Monday November 06 2017, @02:25AM   

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.

• Re:couldn't own a gun, stopped by non-cop Re:couldn't own a gun, stopped by non-cop (Score: 2) by FakeBeldin on Monday November 06 2017, @11:47AM (1 child)

  by FakeBeldin (3360) on Monday November 06 2017, @11:47AM (#592991) Journal

  This was a guy who'd gotten a court marshal and dishonorable discharge. He couldn't legally own a gun. He was stopped by a law-abiding gun owner with a rifle. So he was subject to gun control already, didn't give a damn, and wouldn't have been stopped if gun control applied more widely.

  So you're saying the system worked as intended? There's no need to fix the system - is that what you're saying?

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• Re:couldn't own a gun, stopped by non-cop (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 06 2017, @06:34PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 06 2017, @06:34PM (#593227)

  He is. And he's right.

  In The Netherlands, gun ownership is illegal (except for exemptions from the law by the police, to enable antique collectors/hunters/etc).
  Just on today's evening news: a person getting shot in the head at close range AND another person getting permanently paralyzed.
  Of course, when talking about this church shooting, the news tactfully fails to mention the guy's court martial and lack of legal route to obtain firearms (if I am to believe fellow Soylentils)

  So: If gun control worked, how come my country still gets a shooting about once every 2 weeks on the average?

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