On November 5, 2017, we reported that local authorities in Sutherland Springs, Texas had identified that a lone gunman had opened fire in a local church, leaving several wounded and multiple casualties. The gunman has reportedly been found dead in his vehicle some distance from the scene of the crime, and the Wilson County Commissioner, Albert Gamez Jr., identified to NBC News that the shooter did, in fact, operate alone. The event has now been defined as the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.
Having in-laws who attended the church where he committed this crime, Devin Patrick Kelley has been identified as the shooter. As further details become released from the crime scene, it’s been reported that, in total, 26 people were killed, ranging in age from 18 months to 77 years old. Witnesses described seeing the man enter the First Baptist Church and start shooting at approximately 11:30 a.m. It has also been reported that Kelley’s own mother-in-law attended that church, but was absent at the time of the shooting. Kelley had reportedly sent her a text that very morning.