Texas church shooting: What we know about alleged gunman

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Monday, November 6, 2017
What we know about suspected Texas church shooter
The suspected gunman in a Texas church mass shooting on Sunday has been identified as a Texas native in his mid-20s.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas -- The suspected gunman in the Texas church mass shooting on Sunday has been identified as 26-year-old Devin Kelley from New Braunfels, Texas, federal and state law enforcement sources confirmed.

At least 26 people were killed and at least 20 injured after the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs.

MORE: 26 dead in Texas church shooting

The suspect was found dead in his vehicle at the county line. It was unclear if the attacker died of a self-inflicted wound or if he was shot by a resident who confronted him.

MORE: President Donald Trump tweets about church shooting

Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt told a local newspaper that a man walked into a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and opened fire, leaving multiple people dead.

Here is more on what we know about Kelley:

Authorities in Sutherland Springs, Texas, provided updates after a gunman opened fire inside a church and killed 26 people.

-Air Force officials confirmed to ABC News he served in the U.S. Air Force from 2010 until he was discharged for allegedly assaulting his spouse and child. .

-An Air Force spokeswoman said Kelley served 12 months' confinement after a 2012 court-martial. He ultimately received a bad conduct discharge and reduction in rank.

-He was able to purchase an assault rifle despite a law that restricts firearms from people convicted of domestic violence.

-He was dressed in all black with tactical-type gear and was wearing a ballistic vest.

-He was at a Valero gas station before he drove across the street to the church, exited his vehicle and opened fire, according to officials from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

-He moved to the right side of the church and continued to fire, before he entered the church and shot people inside.

-As he exited the church, a local resident grabbed his rifle and "engaged" the suspect. The suspect dropped what was described as a Ruger AR assault-type rifle and fled from the church.

-The local citizen pursued the suspect and when law enforcement responded, the suspect crashed and was found deceased in his vehicle.

-Multiple weapons were found in the vehicle, and the vehicle was being processed by special operations group bomb techs.

-Authorities are searching his social media accounts and said that on Facebook in recent days, he showed off what appeared to be an AR-15-style gun.

-An ATF source said that agents are searching the alleged shooter's home for explosives.

-A U.S. official told the AP that Kelley lived in a San Antonio suburb and that he doesn't appear to be linked to organized terrorist groups.

MORE: Worst mass shootings in recent U.S. history

The deadliest mass shootings in modern America history.


(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.