This is what appears to be the front of the church, EMS still responding pic.twitter.com/uxjHJlOTcL
— Max Massey (@MaxMasseyTV) November 5, 2017
A single gunman walked into First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas, and shot multiple people. Sutherland Springs is a town of 643 people, and is located outside of San Antonio.
As of this writing 26 people have been pronounced dead according to the police chief, as well as the shooter, who was died after fleeing the scene. Over 20 people have been reported to be injured. The shooter has not yet been identified.
This is the deadliest shooting at a place of worship in modern history. According to KENS 5, the congregation of Sutherland Springs is about 50 people. Before this incident, it was the shooting at Emanuel AME Baptist Church, when Dylan Roof shot and killed nine people in 2015.
For more on the story follow the BBC or KENS 5, the local station covering the shooting. The Governor of Texas, Gregg Abbott, released a statement, which can be read in full below.
Updated at 5:50 p.m. on 11/5
The shooter has been identified as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, who was from a suburb of San Antonio. Kelley was a former member of the U.S. Air Force, according to CBS News.
Updated at 7:30 p.m. on 11/05
This post has been updated to reflect a more accurate account of events. The shooter died after fleeing the scene, and it has not been confirmed who killed him.
Statement on shooting in Sutherland Springs, TX. pic.twitter.com/ffUbQgYdWD
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) November 5, 2017
BREAKING: Texas public safety officer: 23 found dead in church, 2 outside, one transported and died later; ages of victims 5 to 72
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 5, 2017