This has changed everything! That was how a resident of a small town in Texas with a population of about 600 people described the latest shooting in Texas where at least 27 persons have been reported killed with scores seriously injured.
The shooting happened inside a Texas church where a gunman that was dressed in full combat gear opened fire in the small church and the dead including a two-year-old child. The police however shot him dead. The shooting happened at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, where around 50 people usually attend service, according to local reports.
American President, Mr. Donald Trump who is currently on a tour of Asia has commiserated with the community via his Twitter handle. He twitted, “May God bless W/the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI and law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.”
Wilson County Commissioner Albert Gamez Jr told CNN that at least 27 people have been killed in the shooting, but the death toll is expected to climb. ‘My heart is broken,’ Gamez said. ‘We never think where it can happen, and it does happen. It doesn’t matter where you’re at. In a small community, real quiet and everything, and look at this, what can happen.’
At least 24 others were injured in the horrific shooting. Witnesses said a man ‘in full gear’ walked inside the church and opened fire just before 11.30am. First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy told ABC that his 14-year-old daughter is among the dead. She ‘was one very beautiful, special child,’ the pastor said. Sherri Pomeroy, Frank Pomeroy’s wife, said her husband was out of town at the time of the reported shooting.
The shooter was killed after the brief foot chase into Guadalupe County, according Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Robert Murphy. But it’s still unclear if the gunman shot himself or was taken down by authorities. The suspect, who has not been identified, is dead and there is no longer an active shooter threat, according to police. Police could not give an exact number of victims shot in the attack, but witnesses said they heard as many as 20 shots fired.