SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas – With 26 people dead and 20 people injured at the hands of New Braunfels resident Devin Patrick Kelley, a shooting a the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs has gone down as the deadliest shooting in Texas history.
READ THE INITIAL REPORT: 26 dead, 20 injured in Sutherland Springs church shooting, sources say
Here's everything we know about the shooting.
This report will be updated as more information is made available.
The shooting happened at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs
Authorities said Kelley walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs at 216 4th Street around 11:30 a.m. Sunday and opened fire on the congregation killing 26 and injuring 20 others. YouTube videos of previous sermons indicate the church maintains a congregation of about 50 people.
Wilson Co. Sheriff says 26 people were killed and 20 others were injured
Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt said 26 people were killed and 20 people were injured in the shooting. Eight victims were taken to Brooke Army Medical Center, nine were taken to University Hospital and others were taken to Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville, along with other area hospitals. Most victims' identities have not yet been released.
The Pastor's 14-year-old daughter among those killed in shooting
First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy told ABC’s Mike DelMoro his 14-year-old daughter Annabelle Renee Pomeroy is among the deceased. Pomeroy was in Oklahoma at the time of the shooting. He said he wants the world to know his daughter “was one very beautiful special child.”
The gunman was in tactical gear
A witness said Kelley was in tactical gear when he stormed into the church and began shooting. Kelley fled the church in a car and led authorities on a brief chase into Guadalupe County.
The gunman received a bad conduct discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 2014
ABC News confirmed Kelley was previously a U.S. Air Force member who served in Logistics Readiness at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge in 2014. An Air Force spokesperson told ABC News he was court-martialed in 2012 for two counts of Article 128 UCMJ, Assault on his spouse and assault on their child. He received a bad conduct discharge, confinement for twelve months and a reduction to the grade of E-1.
The gun used in the shooting was bought from Academy Sports and Outdoors in San Antonio
A law enforcement source told ABC News that the Ruger rifle used in the church shooting was purchased from Academy Sports & Outdoors in San Antonio. The sports retailer has 240 locations. Officials said Monday Kelley purchased 2 guns in Texas and two guns in Colorado in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 -- one gun a year. Officials did not say when in 2017 he purchased the latest gun.
Academy sent the following statement:
Academy Sports + Outdoors sends our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Sutherland Springs community. Based on information we received from law enforcement, we confirmed that the suspect purchased two firearms from two San Antonio locations, one in 2016 and one in 2017. We also confirmed that both sales were approved by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). We are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate further.
The gunman crashed approximately 11 miles from the church, witnesses say
Several emergency vehicles were seen at the intersection of Hartfield and Sandy Elm Roads in La Vernia, approximately 11 miles away from the church. Witnesses told KSAT 12's Garrett Brnger that the gunman wrecked at that intersection.
The gunman is dead
Sources told KSAT 12's Erica Hernandez that Kelley killed himself after leading authorities on a short chase.
The gunman was Devin Kelley, of New Braunfels
Officials told ABC News Kelley was in his 20s and from New Braunfels.
A community member returned fire
Summer Caddell told KSAT 12's Garrett Brnger her boyfriend Johnnie Langendorff helped chase down the shooter. Langendorff told his girlfriend he saw Kelley running from the church as a neighbor returned fire. He said Kelley got into an SUV and sped away. Read that report HERE.
Kelley called his dad after the shooting
Kelley called his father while he was being chased and told him he had been shot and “didn’t think he was going to make it,” officials said at Monday’s press conference.
ATF and FBI have joined the investigation into the shooting
Several law enforcement agencies have responded to the mass shooting including the Wilson County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, ATF and Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office. Councilman Rey Saldana said the "San Antonio Fire Department assets and units have been deployed to Sutherland."
There is video of the shooting
Law enforcement officials secured a video from inside the church. The video is being used as part of the investigation.
Sutherland Springs' last known population was under 500 people
According to the Handbook of Texas, Sutherland Springs had a population of 362 in 2000.
This is the deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas history
The second deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas history occurred on Oct. 16, 1991. The gunman, George Hennard, drove through a Luby's in Killeen and opened fire on Luby's customers killing 24 people.