Twenty-sixpeople were killed and 25 more were wounded Sunday afternoon when a gunman opened fire inside a church outside of San Antonio, Texas. A two-year-old child was listed among those wounded in the shooting.
Authorities say that a gunman opened fire at congregants gathered inside the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs at approximately 11:30 a.m., half an hour after Sunday church services began.
One eyewitness said dozens of shots were fired during the attack. Neighbors living next to the church say they heard the gunman reload multiple times.
The gunman is now dead, police say.
According to KSAT12 News, police say that there are “multiple victims” inside the church, and it is now believed that as many as 52 people were shot in the attack, with as many as 26 killed.
Sheriff Joe Tackitt confirmed to Wilson County News that there were multiple fatalities in the shooting, and that the gunman had been shot and killed.
Guadalupe County Sherffics Office spokesperson Robert Murphy reported that the gunman had fled the scene of the attack and was pursued by law enforcement officials into Guadalupe County, where he was later killed by a gunshot wound.
Police have yet to declare whether the shot which killed the gunman was self-inflicted or was as a result of a shootout with officers.
Wilson County Constable Thomas Silvas told Fox News that emergency response teams were now working to remove the bodies from the church.
“Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act,” tweeted Texas Governor Greg Abbott. "Our thanks to law enforcement for their response.”