Here's What You Need To Know About The Church Shooting In Texas

Late on Sunday morning, an armed attack occurred at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man descended upon the church and began shooting members of this small-town community church, killing 26 people and injuring many more. 

Following the attack on the church, the gunman, who has now been identified as  26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, was shot by a town resident outside of the church. Although injured, he entered his vehicle and fled the scene, where he was followed by town residents in there vehicle. 

According to reports, the gunman sped off in his vehicle and lost control, landing in a ditch, where he was found dressed in all-black tactical gear. Authorities concluded that he turned his gun on himself, dying at the scene of the crash in the nearby Guadalupe County.

The victims of this heinous attack include children as young as 5 and citizens as old as 72. Among the killed was the visiting pastor giving his sermon that morning, along with his 14-year-old daughter, a 5-months-pregnant town resident, her three children, and several other members of her family. 

Multiple guns were found in the gunman's vehicle, and it has been confirmed that he was a member of the US Air Force and served at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge. 

It has also been confirmed that he purchased the rifle he used in the attack in April 2016 in San Antonio, Texas, a law enforcement official said. 

Residents of Sutherland Springs gathered Sunday evening to hold a vigil and mourn the events that occurred earlier in the day. Hugging one another, those who attended held candles and sang hymns in a vigil, and faith leaders offered words of solace and prayers. 

In a statement issued by President Donald Trump, he expressed his deepest condolences but quickly noted that he believes the shooting is attributed to "mental health problem," and not an issue with US gun laws. The president is currently in Japan to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

Source: CNN