Breaking: Gunman kills two inside a packed church during a livestreamed communion before he’s shot dead by an armed congregation member
A man pulled out a shotgun at a Texas church service and fired on worshippers Sunday, killing two people before he was shot to death by congregants who fired back, police said Sunday.
Authorities at a news conference praised the two congregants who opened fire as part of a volunteer security team at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement.
It was unclear if the two people who were killed were the two who shot at the gunman.
‘This team responded quickly and within six seconds, the shooting was over. Two of the parishioners who were volunteers of the security force drew their weapons and took out the killer immediately, saving untold number of lives,’ said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who also hailed the state’s gun laws.
Britt Farmer, senior minister of the church, said, ‘We lost two great men today, but it could have been a lot worse.’
Authorities said there were more than 240 parishioners in the West Freeway Church at the time of the shooting.
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The service at the West Freeway Church of Christ was being live-streamed at the time of the shooting (screen grab is seen above)
While the shots were being fired, people ducked under church pews as a church leader tried to calm people down
In the video, at least five men from the congregation were seen rushing towards the shooter with handguns
The shooting was reported Sunday morning during the 10am service at the church. The service was being live-streamed at the time of the shooting.
Authorities have not released any details about what led to the shooting and officials have not released the names of the victims or the gunman.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno said they’re working to identify the gunman’s motive, adding that he is ‘relatively transient’ but had roots in the area.
DeSarno also said the gunman had been arrested multiple times in the past but declined to give details.
An elder at the church told the New York Times that one of those killed was a security guard who responded to the shooter, calling him a dear friend.
