Sheriff: At Least 20 Dead in Texas Church Shooting

The gunman is dead
By Josh Rosenblatt,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 5, 2017 2:35 PM CST
Updated Nov 5, 2017 4:13 PM CST
At Least 27 Dead in Texas Church Shooting
   (KSAT via AP)

At least 20 people are dead after a gunman entered the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday morning and started firing, Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt tells CNN. Other reported estimates have gone as high as 27. Tackitt says the shooter has been killed and that there is no active threat. Authorities say many others were injured; KSAT's report puts the number of wounded at 30. Children are reportedly among the victims.

The San Antonio branch of the FBI says it currently has no indication of the gunman's motive. The gunman entered the church around 11:30am local time; a witness reports hearing at least 20 shots fired while a church service was underway. The shooter fled in a vehicle; after a brief chase into a neighboring county, he was killed, CNN reports. It's unclear if he shot himself or if he was killed by a police officer. Sutherland Springs, with a population of just under 400, is located about 30 miles east of San Antonio. (More Texas stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X