- At least 26 people were shot dead by a gunman and at least 24 others are being treated for injuries
- Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas and opened fire
- A LinkedIn account reveals Kelley, who was married, was an Air Force veteran and ex-Bible studies teacher
- He was dishonorably discharged from the Air Force for assaulting his wife and child in 2014
The mass shooter who opened fire during Mass inside a Texas church killing at least 26 - including a two-year-old child - has been identified as a 26-year-old former Bible study teacher who was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force for assaulting his wife and child.
Devin Patrick Kelley, a married father, walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, dressed in black, tactical gear with a ballistics belt and an assault rifle, and began shooting, according to local law enforcement sources.
The attack only stopped when Kelley was confronted by a heroic local man who shot at the mass shooter as he left the church. Kelley was reportedly killed by that same neighbor following a high-speed car chase.
Wilson County Commissioner Albert Gamez Jr told CNN that at least 26 people were killed in the shooting, but the death toll is expected to climb. Victims include a two-year-old girl, a pregnant woman and the 14-year-old daughter of the pastor.
The Connally Memorial Medical Center said "multiple" victims are being treated.
Former classmates described him as "creepy," "crazy" and an "outcast" who had recently started preaching about atheism and picking fights on social media. However, local law enforcement say he had a relatively clean criminal record, with only traffic offenses in recent years.
Police are now investigating the possibility that Kelley was in a local militia group.
The first of Kelley's 26 victims have been identified in the wake of the shooting. They include Annabelle Pomeroy, whose father - First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy - had been out of town during the attack.
Bryan Holcombe had been standing in for Frank Pomeroy as pastor when Kelley opened fire. Witnesses say he was the first victim to be struck by the shooter's gunfire.
He was killed, alongside his wife of 25 years, Sunday school teacher Karla Holcombe, as well as their pregnant daughter-in-law Crystal, local residents reported.
The couple ran a canvas repair shop before retiring and had attended the church for 25 years.
Mother-of-four Joann Ward and three of her children were also shot. Family have since told the Dallas News that Joann and two of her daughters, six-year-old Brooke and eight-year-old Emily have died.
Ward's six-year-old stepson Rylan, who was shot four times, is still in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. The mom's eldest daughter Rihanna, 9, had the glasses shot off her face but escaped injury by hiding under a pew as shots rang out.
A local resident, Johnnie Langendorff, who had witnessed the gun battle, said that both he and the unnamed neighbor had jumped in his truck and gave chase.
Langendorff told ABC 12 that he'd been speeding at 95mph, while on the phone to dispatch, while the neighbor kept his rifle trained on the gunman's car.
As they approached a sharp curve in the road, near the 307 and 539, in Guadalupe County, he said Kelley appeared to lose control and his car swerved off the road.
The neighbor had then shot Kelley dead.
He was found deceased by the cops who also discovered multiple weapons and possible explosives in his vehicle.
'We are not sure if it was self-inflicted or if he was shot by a local resident,' said Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Director Freeman Martin.
San Antonio police also raided Kelley's home on Sunday evening, with K9 and bomb squad units.
Residents of the community gathered for an emotional candlelight vigil on Sunday night as the names of the victims began to emerge.
President Donald Trump sent his condolences to the Sutherland Springs community. He also said he will continue to monitor the situation from Japan.
"Victims and their families were in their sacred place of worship. We cannot put into words the pain and grief we all feel," he said in a televised statement from Japan, urging everyone to "stand strong, oh so strong."
"In dark times such as these, Americans do we what do best and we pull together. We lock hands and we join arms. Through the tears and through the sadness we stand strong."
The president pledged his full support to the state of Texas and the local communities affected by Sunday's attack.
"We offer our thanks to the first responders, to the FBI, all of the many people involved. I will continue to follow the developments closely. All of America is praying to God to help the wounded and the family of the victims."
This article has been adapted from its original source.
