Multiple killed and wounded in Texas church shooting
Multiple people were killed and wounded after a man opened fire inside of a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
During a press conference, Freeman Martin, the regional director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said that 26 people had been killed and 20 others had been injured.
The ages of the dead range from five-years-old to 72.
23 of the dead were found inside the church and two others were found outside.
One person was transported to a local hospital where they later died.
The shooting happened in Sutherland Springs, which is 30 miles southeast of San Antonio.
The shooter has been identified as 26-year-old Devin Kelley of New Braunfels, Texas. Investigators are looking at social media posts Kelley may have made in the days before Sunday's attack, including one that appeared to show an AR-15 semiautomatic weapon.
According to authorities, the shooter is now dead. The gunman fled in a vehicle after the attack and was killed, either by a self-inflicted wound or during a confrontation with police.
Authorities said a civilian with a gun confronted the attacker and chased him away. The gunman was later found dead in his vehicle along with several weapons.
According to the church's website, the church schedule was for a fellowship breakfast on Sunday mornings, followed by Sunday School. A morning worship service was scheduled for 11 a.m.
The first news reports of the shooting were between noon and 12:30 p.m.
AERIAL VIDEO OF DEADLY CHURCH SHOOTING
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released the following statement following the shooting. "While the details of this horrific act are still under investigation, Cecilia and I want to send our sincerest thoughts and prayers to all those who have been affected by this evil act. I want to thank law enforcement for their response and ask that all Texans pray for the Sutherland Springs community during this time of mourning and loss."
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement as well saying that his office "stands ready to assist local law enforcement as needed.
President Donald Trump, who is currently in Japan as part of a twelve-day, five-country Asian tour, took to Twitter to share that he is closely monitoring the situation. he also tweeted: "May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas."
The church has posted videos of its Sunday services on a YouTube channel, raising the possibility that the shooting was captured on video. In the most recent service, posted Oct. 29, Pastor Frank Pomeroy began by speaking in front of a stage with two guitarists and a singer.
A few children can be seen moving around and climbing onto the pews.
Sutherland Springs is in a rural corner of South Texas where communities are small and tight-knit.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.