— News and Commentary —
Church Shooting Reported In Texas, Armed Churchgoers Stopped It, Reports Say
Multiple people were reportedly shot at a church in Texas on Sunday, and a reporter who claimed to have viewed video footage of the attack suggested that armed churchgoers stopped the attacker.
The attack happened in White Settlement, which is on the western edge of Fort Worth, Texas, at the West Freeway Church of Christ.
“MedStar spokeswoman Macara Trusty confirmed that one person died at the scene of the shooting, one person died en route to a hospital, and another person was transported to a hospital in critical condition,” The Dallas Morning News reported. “The shooter is believed to be one of those three people, said Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Mike Drivdahl.”
Bobby Ross Jr., Editor-in-Chief of The Christian Chronicle, tweeted out a link to a live stream video from the church that showed the shooting take place. The video has since been set to private on YouTube.
“It appears that a gunman shot two church members at back of auditorium with a footlong weapon, then a member shot the gunman with a pistol,” Ross wrote. “This is just based on me watching the video again. Screaming afterward in the church. So tragic. Two quick shots at back, then another shot. Then at least three members (I believe) with pistols [walking] toward where the gunman appeared to fall.”
CBS News Dallas reported that a witness confirmed to them that another church member shot the suspect.
Two quick shots at back, then another shot. Then at least three members (I believe) with pistols watching toward where the gunman appeared to fall.
— Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) December 29, 2019
Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the attack an “evil act of violence” in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and families of those killed in the evil act of violence that occurred at the West Freeway Church of Christ,” Abbott said. “Places of worship are meant to be sacred, and I am grateful for the church members who acted quickly to take down the shooter and help prevent further loss of life. Cecilia and I ask all Texans to join us in praying for the White Settlement community and for all those affected by this horrible tragedy.”
Statement on shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement: pic.twitter.com/Crrrvavvs6
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) December 29, 2019
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted: “We are shocked and saddened to hear reports of a shooting at a church in White Settlement. As reports come in, please pray for any victims and their families, this congregation, and the law enforcement officials at the scene. My office will assist in any way needed.”
We are shocked and saddened to hear reports of a shooting at a church in White Settlement.
As reports come in, please pray for any victims and their families, this congregation, and the law enforcement officials at the scene. My office will assist in any way needed.
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) December 29, 2019
Erin Nealy Cox, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, tweeted: “No one should be subjected to gunfire in a house of worship. Our hearts go out to those affected by the tragedy in White Settlement today. Details of the shooter are currently under investigation.”
No one should be subjected to gunfire in a house of worship. Our hearts go out to those affected by the tragedy in White Settlement today. Details of the shooter are currently under investigation. @FBIDallas @ATFDallas @FortWorthPD @FortWorthFire
— US Attorney Erin Nealy Cox (@USAttyNealyCox) December 29, 2019
This is a breaking news story, refresh the page for updates.
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