Several people were killed and others were injured during a shooting Sunday inside a church in South Texas, not far from San Antonio, authorities said.
The incident occurred at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a small town more than 30 miles southeast of San Antonio.
Local authorities have yet to confirm how many were killed or injured, but Wilson County Commissioner Albert Gamez Jr. told the Washington Post that at least 27 were killed and more than 20 were injured. The gunman has been killed, he said.
Megan Posey, a spokeswoman for Connally Memorial Medical Center, located not far from the church, confirmed that the hospital is still accepting patients from the shooting, though she does not know how many.
ABC affiliate KSAT is reporting that the man walked into the church, opened fire and was later killed by police, though a dispatcher for the Wilson County sheriff declined to confirm and said information will be released later.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said: “Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act. Our thanks to law enforcement for their response.”
Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on the scene.
Photos taken by local media showed several police and emergency vehicles, as well as helicopters, outside the church.
A video shared on Twitter by a KSAT reporter showed people crying and holding hands as they waited to find out whether their loved ones are safe.
(c) 2017, The Washington Post · Kristine Phillips
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This was bound to happen