Texas church shooting leaves 26 dead, including 8 members of one family
A shooter killed 26 people at a Texas church and at least eight of those victims were members of the same family, according to a relative and a community leader who both spoke to CNN.
The
mass shooting, which happened during a Sunday morning service, shocked
the small town of Sutherland Springs, located about 30 miles east of San
Antonio.
About
20 other people were wounded at the First Baptist Church. The massacre
was called "the largest mass shooting in our state's history," by Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott.
Latest developments
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Using a rifle, the gunman shot victims between the ages of 5 to 72
years old, said Freeman Martin, a regional director with the Texas
Department of Public Safety.
--
At least eight of the people killed were members of one family,
according to a relative and a community leader. A woman who was about
five months pregnant and three of her children were killed. The pregnant
woman's brother-in-law and his young child were also killed, according
to the community leader. Three other members of the same family were
injured. CNN is not naming the victims at this time, as it isn't yet
confirmed that their next-of-kin have been notified.
--
Among those killed included the 14-year-old daughter of the church's
pastor, according to Sherri Pomeroy, the girl's mother. Her parents were
traveling out of state when the shooting occurred.
--The shooter fled the church, was chased and later found dead in his vehicle, officials said.
-- A witness told CNN affiliate KSAT that he and an armed resident had pursued the gunman in a car chase.
--
Speaking from Japan, President Donald Trump expressed condolences for
the victims during a Monday news conference and said he believes the shooting was caused by a "mental health problem," not an issue with US gun laws
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