Two people died and another was critically wounded after a gunman opened fire in a church in White Settlement near Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday morning, multiple reports said.
Dallasnews.com reported that MedStar spokeswoman Macara Trusty confirmed that “one person died en route to a hospital, and another person was transported to a hospital in critical condition” after a shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ. Dallasnews.com says the shooter is believed to be one of those three people, quoting Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Mike Drivdahl.
Media reports said White Settlement police were called to the scene at 9:57 a.m. local time after reports of gunfire and people with gunshot wounds. White Settlement and Fort Worth officers were at the church speaking to witnesses, Drivdahl told Dallasnews.com.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families that were affected by this incident,” Drivdahl said. “We’ll continue to pray for them and continue to do everything we can for them.”
A local television station reported that the “church shooting was captured on a live stream of Sunday’s worship service. In the video, which has since been taken down, a person stands and pulls out a weapon, then appears to fire twice before another person shoots back, according to WFAA-TV.
WFAA reported that “some congregants holding guns rushed toward the shooter, while others ducked under church pews.”
According to Dallnews.com, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the shooting an “evil act of violence” in a statement.
“Places of worship are meant to be sacred, and I am grateful for the church members who acted quickly to take down the shooter and help prevent further loss of life,” Abbott said. “Cecilia and I ask all Texans to join us in praying for the White Settlement community and for all those affected by this horrible tragedy.”
Dallasnews.com reported that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office tweeted asking for prayers for the victims and their families and said the office would assist however they’re needed.
The shooting comes more than two years after a gunman opened fire at a church in Sutherland Springs—a community about 300 miles away from White Settlement—killing at least 26 people.
Craig Groeschel, the senior pastor of Life.Church in Oklahoma, tweeted Sunday, “Please join me in prayer for the White Settlement, TX and Ramapo, NY, communities as well as all those affected by these awful tragedies. Our hearts break with you.” “The Lord I close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
