Armed members of a Texas church volunteer security team shot and killed a gunman during a service on Sunday.
According to The Dallas Morning News:
Police in White Settlement, about eight miles west of Fort Worth, were called before 11 a.m. to the West Freeway Church of Christ at 1900 South Las Vegas Trail after two members who are part of the church’s security team opened fire on the gunman.
MedStar spokeswoman Macara Trusty soon reported that the gunman and one of his victims had died at a hospital. The second victim was resuscitated after going into cardiac arrest on the way to a hospital, but authorities announced at an evening news conference that the person died later.
“We lost two great men today, but it could have been a lot worse, and I am thankful our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves,” said Britt Farmer, a church minister.
The service was being live streamed at the time and the incident was caught on video.
BREAKING: Video shows gunman open fire at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas before being shot dead by armed security; the service was being live-streamed on YouTube pic.twitter.com/58YcB8ODT1
— GrantB911 (@GrantB911) December 29, 2019
The Dallas Morning News reports that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick noted changes in state law that ensured the right to carry concealed weapons in churches.
He credited the church’s volunteer security team for protecting their fellow members.
'The heroism today is unparalleled,' Patrick said. 'This team responded quickly, and within six seconds the shooting was over.'
As of Sunday evening, the gunman's motive was unclear.