Two Dead, One Wounded after Shooting at Texas Church, Gunman Shot By Church Member
Two people are dead and another person was left critically injured after a gunman opened fire in a North Texas church, officials said.
The gunman opened fire at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, during Sunday morning service. After firing a two shots, the gunman was shot by an armed church member.
WFAA TV (Channel 8 News) reported the church’s Sunday service was livestreamed on YouTube, so the shooting was broadcasted but has been taken down. The video showed a man pulling out a weapon and then appeared to fire twice before another church member fired back. Some of the congregants held guns as they rushed towards the shooter, while others ducked under church pews.
Video livestream still from West Freeway Church of Christ shooting - shooter can be seen wearing a black hood of some sort and a rifle. pic.twitter.com/UKuYYT4GEJ
— Global Breaking News (@GBNReports) December 29, 2019
CBS 11 News was told by a witness that a man with a shotgun walked up to a server during communion and began to fire until another church member — who was identified as part of the church’s security and a former FBI agent— shot him.
Church member Isabel Arreola told CBS 11 News, “It was the most scariest thing. You feel like your life is flashing before you. I was so worried about my little one.”
In a press conference, Fort Worth spokesman Mike Drivdahl stated,“When White Settlement PD and White Settlement Fire Department arrived on scene, they did find a total of three patients that have been transported in critical condition. That includes who they do believe is the shooter, so that is a total of three, including the shooter, who have been transported.”
Two other victims were injured while trying to take cover during the shooting but were treated and released.
Updates from Mike Drivdahl, FWFD PIO:
— Kaley Johnson (@KaleyAJohnson) December 29, 2019
White settlement police got the call at 9:57 am of gun shots.
Three were transported to the hospital in critical condition. One is believed to be the shooter.
He cannot conform any deaths. #whitesettlement #shooting #fortworth pic.twitter.com/F97v4lHqIS
Lives were saved today because of a recent law that went into effect on September 1, which allows Texas residents to carry guns in churches, synagogues and other places of worship, unless otherwise banned by those places with proper signage.
REUNITED: John and Diana Richardson reunited with their daughter after being inside West Freeway Church of Christ when a gunman opened fire. Two people dead (including shooter), third injured. John told @FOX4 he jumped on his wife (who’s in a wheelchair) to protect her. pic.twitter.com/DovQr3fg9v
— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) December 29, 2019
This was my family in church at West Freeway Church of Christ this morning...fortunately there was a GOOD GUY with a gun to protect my loved ones! RT! @dbongino @realDonaldTrump @SenTedCruz @tedcruz @FoxNews @charliekirk11 @MsAvaArmstrong @NRA #shooting #fortworth #dfwnews pic.twitter.com/FlzMDWLmyh
— MAGA_DJ ⭐⭐⭐ (@CryptoDJ1) December 29, 2019