WASHINGTON — The U.S. Catholic Church stands "in unity" with the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and the larger community after a shooting in Sunday services took the lives of at least 26 people and injured at least 20 others.
The dead ranged in age from 5 to 72 years old, and included 14-year-old Annabelle Pomeroy. Her father, Frank Pomeroy, is pastor of the church, but he wasn't at the service.
"We must come to the firm determination that there is a fundamental problem in our society. A culture of life cannot tolerate, and must prevent, senseless gun violence in all its forms. May the Lord, who Himself is peace, send us His spirit of charity and nonviolence to nurture His peace among us all," stated Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"We stand in unity with you in this time of terrible tragedy — as you stand on holy ground, ground marred today by horrific violence."
With San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, "I extend my prayers and the prayers of my brother bishops for the victims, the families, the first responders, our Baptist brothers and sisters, indeed the whole community of Sutherland Springs," Cardinal DiNardo stated.
Law enforcement officials told CNN that a lone gunman entered the church at about 11:30 a.m. CST while 50 people were attending Sunday services. Almost everyone in the congregation was shot. Sutherland Springs is about 35 miles southeast of San Antonio.
Two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press the suspect was Devin Kelley, described as a white male in his 20s. He parked at a gas station across the street from the church, crossed the street and allegedly began firing as he walked toward the church and then continued firing once inside. He was wearing black tactical-type gear and used an assault weapon, the Associated Press stated.
After he left the church, he was confronted by a local resident who had a rifle "and engaged the suspect," AP stated, quoting Freeman Martin, who is with the Texas Department of Safety. The suspect was later found dead in his vehicle some distance away. It wasn't clear if he died from a self-inflicted gun shot or from wounds suffered in the engagement with the resident.
His motive wasn't immediately known. He had been in the Air Force but was discharged for bad conduct allegedly for domestic abuse and served a 12-month sentence in confinement after being court-martialed in 2012.
"We ask the Lord for healing of those injured, his loving care of those who have died and the consolation of their families," Cardinal DiNardo said. "This incomprehensibly tragic event joins an ever-growing list of mass shootings, some of which were also at churches while people were worshipping and at prayer."