At least two people were reportedly killed in a shooting inside a crowded church in West Freeway Church of Christ in the city of White Settlement, Texas.
It’s unclear what exactly prompted the shooting, but footage shows what appears to be a man shooting at least two people and then getting shot as he tried turning his weapon at the crowd.
The service was live-streaming on YouTube as the shooting took place.
via NYDN:
The video, which has since been made private, shows dozens of horrified churchgoers ducking under their seats as several people, including someone who appeared to be a security guard, drew their own weapons toward the gunman.
A local CBS affiliate reported that two people were killed and another was in critical condition, but authorities have not officially confirmed any fatalities.
Mike Drivdahl, a spokesman for the Forth Worth Fire Department, said three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition after the shooting, which took place just before 10 a.m.
“A very tragic day when anybody in our community suffers,” he told reporters at a brief news conference. “Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families who are affected by this.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a short statement on Twitter early Sunday afternoon.
“We are shocked and saddened to hear reports of a shooting at a church in White Settlement,” he wrote. “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.”
The incident comes two years after a gunman opened fire inside another Texas church in one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. The shooter, 26-year-old Devin Kelley, killed 26 people and wounded more than 20 others at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on Nov. 5, 2017.
Former 2020 presidential candidate and Texas native Beto O’Rourke, a fierce gun control advocate, weighed in on Twitter.
“So saddened to hear about another church shooting in Texas, this one in White Settlement near Fort Worth,” the Democrat wrote. “Clearly what we are doing in Texas, what we are doing in this country, when it comes to guns is not working.”
Lawmakers from across the state and country also issued statements on the incident Sunday afternoon.
“Our places of worship need to be safe havens,” Houston councilwoman-elect Letitia Plummer tweeted. There is a real need to breakdown barriers between communities and promote love and understanding. Our thoughts and prayers with the family and friends.”
Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were headed to the scene Sunday afternoon to assist in the investigation, according to the agency, which is known as ATF.
At this point, there have been so many mass shootings that we don’t even know what to say.
