The lone gunman who killed at least 26 people and injured 20 in the deadliest mass shooting at a First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas after he walked into the small community church during a Sunday morning worship has been identified as 26-year old Devin Patrick Kelly, a former Air Force serviceman who was dishonorably discharged from service in 2014.
Devin Patrick Kelley has been identified as the lone gunman in the First Baptist mass shooting in Sutherland Texas on 5 November 2017. Credit: Facebook
Kelley, who officials said was dressed in all black and wore a ballistic vest and tactical gear entered the First Baptist Church during Sunday morning service at about 11:30 am local time after he had shot dead 2 people outside. He proceeded inside where he immediately shot and killed another 23.
One person later died in hospital.
His victims range from ages 5 years to 72 years old, among them the Church Pastor’s 14-year old daughter, Annabelle Renee Pomeroy.
The the deadliest Church shooting in U.S. history has shaken the quiet, small community. Credit: Nick Wagner/AP
Pastor Frank Pomeroy and his wife Sherry Pomeroy were both out of town in two different states and not at their Church when the brutal massacre occurred. The Pastor confirmed his daughter’s demise by phone.
Also among the dead is a pregnant mother of three who had been expecting her fourth child. A 2-year old is also said to be among the 20 seriously injured in hospital.
Devin Kelly posted a replica of the weapon used in the First Baptist Church mass shooting, Texas, on Sunday, 5 November 2017. Credit: Facebook
According to a local Law Enforcement source, Kelly posted an exact replica of the weapon used in the mass shooting on the social media platform, Facebook, with the caption, “She’s a bad bitch” in reference to the automatic weapon.
However, the source could not confirm if indeed it was the same rifle used on Sunday.
An armed local resident who heard gunshots confronted, disarmed and chased Kelly as he attempted to leave the scene after committing the heinous atrocities. He was later found dead in his vehicle about 5 miles from the scene at the county line with a gunshot wound to his head.
A community in shock trying to make sense of what happened at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Credit: AP
It is still unclear if Kelly died from a self-inflicted wound or whether the armed Samaritan resident stopped him before he could carry out more atrocities. The possible motive for the attack remains a mystery that is yet to be determined.
Local and Federal Law Enforcement agents, First Responders, ATFs including the FBI swamped the small quiet community to gather evidence and assist with the crime scene which is too much for a small local force to handle.
State and Federal Law Enforcement agents at the crime scene to assist with investigation – November 2017. Credit: Reuters
According to public records, Devin Kelly, who committed the deadliest Church shooting in U.S. history that left at least 26 dead was a resident of nearby New Braunfels in San Antonio.
A LinkedIn account appearing to belong to Kelly also indicated that he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from High School in 2009.
However, records from the Department of Defense indicate that Kelly was later discharged from the Air Force in 2014 after a court martial in 2012. He was sentenced with a bad conduct discharge, 12 months confinement and two reductions in rank to basic Airman, charges that were affirmed by an Appeals Court decision in 2013 against him.
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