Additional details have emerged around the devastating Texas church massacre that claimed the lives of 26 people on Sunday 5th November local time, news.com.au reports.
Police have revealed information about the motive of the suspect, 26-year-old Devin Kelley. Reportedly, the shooter targeted this particular church because it was where his mother-in-law regularly attended service.
Freeman Martin of the Texas Department of Safety spoke with the press on Monday about Kelley:
“It’s a senseless crime, but we can tell you there was a domestic situation going on within this family,” he said.
“The suspect’s mother-in-law attended this church. We know that she had received threatening texts from him. We know he expressed anger towards his mother-in-law.”
According to reports, Kelley did not hold a gun licence. Regardless, the mass shooter was able to purchase four guns in four years.
Local man Stephen Willeford has been praised with cutting the mass shooting short. The 55-year-old man, who lived near to the church, ran into the hysteria and was able to shoot Kelley, causing him to cease fire and attempt to escape in his car.
Willeford and another Texan, Johnnie Langedorff followed Kelley. During the pursuit, Kelley is reported to have shot himself dead.
Off the back of this tragedy, Donald Trump is being slammed for his comments. The President has stated that he believes the massacre was not “a guns situation”, rather it was a “mental health” problem:
“I think that mental health is your problem here,” he said in a statement.
“Based on preliminary reports, a very deranged individual, a lot of problems for a long period of time.
“Fortunately there was a person shooting in the opposite direction,” he continued.
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2017
People have taken to Twitter to share their outrage:
“When the President finally responds and you still feel unsafe. We need a President who really cares about the citizens of the United States!” shared one.
“We don’t need more “thoughts and prayers.” WHAT is the US GOVERNMENT’S PLAN for AMERICAN PUBLIC SAFETY? IS there a PLAN or is it just “thoughts and prayers” until the next mass shooting?” wrote another.
“Coward,” said a third.
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