A shooter suspected of carrying out Texas’ worst mass killing has been identified as a 26-year-old former service member, according to reports.
Devin Patrick Kelley served as a member of the U.S. Air Force at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his bad conduct discharge in 2014, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told CNN.
Kelley is suspected of killing 26 people and wounding 20 others Sunday at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
The Texas gunman was identified as a 26-year-old who received a “bad conduct” discharge from the Air Force https://t.co/FPULoKLM25
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 6, 2017
He was found dead in his vehicle following the shootings, according to police.
Investigators have not provided a motive for the killings, but Kelley’s background hinted at a history of violence. In 2012 he was court-martialed for assault on his spouse and assault on their child, Stefanek told CNN. He served a year in prison and his rank was reduced, she added.
Kelley purchased the Ruger AR-556 rifle he used in the shooting from a store in San Antonio and indicated he didn’t have a disqualifying criminal history when he filled out the background check paperwork, according to reports from law enforcement officials.
Tweeting from Japan, President Trump said “May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.”
…Americans do what we do best: we pull together. We join hands. We lock arms and through the tears and the sadness, we stand strong… pic.twitter.com/qkCPgtKGkA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2017
Senator Dianne Feinstein issued a statement Sunday expressing her condolences and frustration with the country’s spate of mass shootings.
“I’m horrified by the news of the shooting today in South Texas. More than 20 people killed and more than 20 injured, it’s absolutely devastating, and my thoughts are with all of those in Sutherland Springs, she said.
“When will this end? When will we decide that we can’t accept massacres in our places of worship, schools, or at concerts? When will we actually do something about it?
“This latest mass shooting comes just one month after the country’s deadliest mass shooting, and we’re still trying to garner support for even the most basic steps to reduce gun violence,” she continued.
“After each mass shooting, I hope we’ll summon the courage and will to change, and today is no different.”
–Staff
