The community of Sutherland Springs, Texas, is reeling with the loss of so many people within their town. In a town with a reported population of just over 600, the horrible mass shooting of 26 people, ranging in age from 5 to 72, will affect every single person in that area.
BREAKING: Texas public safety officer: 23 found dead in church, 2 outside, one transported and died later; ages of victims 5 to 72
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 5, 2017
The identities of those who were murdered are being released, but one of the first people confirmed to be a victim was the pastor’s own 14 year old daughter.
Pastor Frank Pomeroy said his teenage daughter, Annabelle, was among the at least 26 killed and dozens injured when gunman Devin Patrick Kelly opened fire inside the First Baptist Church in tiny Sutherland Springs outside of San Antonio just before noon.
The teen “was one very beautiful special child,” Pomeroy told ABC News.
Annabelle’s mother also confirmed her daughter’s death to the AP.
Sherri Pomeroy wrote in a text message to the AP that she and her husband were out of town in two different states when the attack occurred.
“We lost our 14 year old daughter today and many friends,” she wrote. “Neither of us have made it back into town yet to personally see the devastation. I am at the charlotte airport trying to get home as soon as i can.”
Also reported among the dead is a pregnant mother of three.
Nick Uhlig, 34, is a church member who didn’t go Sunday morning because he was out late Saturday night. He said his cousins were at the church and that his family was told at least one of them, a woman with three children and pregnant with another, is among the dead. He said he hadn’t heard specific news about the other.
“We just gathered to bury their grandfather on Thursday,” he said. “This is the only church here. We have Bible study, men’s Bible study, vacation Bible school.”
And another mother, Joann Ward, and her children were also shot.
Four members of one family were injured. Joann Ward and her three children were hurt, according to a family friend, Gracie Crews, of nearby Stockdale, Texas, who was at the hospital with the family.
Ward was unconscious when officials responded to the scene, and two of the children had to be flown by helicopter to a local hospital, Crews said in a telephone interview. Crews estimated the children were between the ages of 5 and 8, and said that Saturday was Ward and her husband’s anniversary.
According to Ward’s mother-in-law, the five year old was shot multiple times.
Ward’s mother, Sandy Ward, told the New York Times that her daughter-in-law and three grandchildren were shot, including her 5-year-old grandson, who was shot four times and was in surgery Sunday evening.
“I just started praying for everybody who was there,” Sandy Ward told the Times of when she learned what happened. She was not at the 11 a.m. service Sunday because of her troubled knees and bad hip, according to the Times.
The release of the identities of the victims is going to be heart-wrenching for this one small community.
Candlelight vigil for the victims of the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church shooting. pic.twitter.com/5QylXA2sqo
— Crossroads Today (@CrossroadsToday) November 6, 2017
Texas @GovAbbott orders flags across state be lowered to half staff to honor victims of Sutherland Springs church shooting. pic.twitter.com/YW4vPLjUmU
— Alana Austin (@alana_austin) November 6, 2017
Let’s remember to keep them in our prayers as they mourn for their friends and family members.
UPDATE 10 am EST:
Crystal Holcombe has been identified as the pregnant woman who was killed in the shooting. She was eight months along.
Crystal Holcombe & Children: A Tribute to the Texas Shooting Victims https://t.co/BHWsVmchpJ pic.twitter.com/4JWfzGvEWy
— YormanburNews (@yormanburNews) November 6, 2017
Three of the Holcombe children were murdered with their mother, along with the Holcombe grandparents and Crystal’s in-laws, Bryan and Karla.
UPDATE 11/07/2017, 11:10 AM EST:
More of the victims have been identified.
Haley Krueger, 16, was killed Sunday in Sutherland Springs. Haley's mom says she wanted to become an intensive-care nurse for newborns. pic.twitter.com/ac59BoOpAI
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 6, 2017
Lula White was killed Sunday in Sutherland Springs. She was the grandmother-in-law of suspected shooter. Frequently volunteered at church. pic.twitter.com/vvPx4iE4Fv
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 6, 2017
Robert and Shani Corrigan were both killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church. Robert served 29 years in the Air Force. They have 2 sons. pic.twitter.com/HqUiq0bTh5
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
And if you are looking for a starker contrast between killer and victim…
Among the dead in Sutherland Springs: An Air Force master sergeant who was everything Devin Kelley was not https://t.co/68OVTUCNP3 pic.twitter.com/UqM3sfA3Xa
— Jared Keller (@jaredbkeller) November 6, 2017
From the article:
The Corrigans were sweethearts at Harrison High School in Michigan, where Robert was a track star, according to the Clare County, Michigan, director of veterans’ services. Robert joined the Air Force in 1985, the couple married, and they relocated to Texas. Over three decades of service, Chief Master Sgt. Corrigan rose to become superintendent of 55th Medical Group at Offutt Air Force Base in 2012 — part of the service’s essential 55th Wing, the largest in the Air Combat Command. Corrigan retired in 2015, relocating to San Antonio with Shani; the couple is survived by two sons, both on active-duty.
Corrigan wasn’t just a loving and devoted husband, but an exceptional officer: Air Force veterans who served under him remember a superintendent who saw his fellow airmen not as subordinates, but family.
Each victim is leaving behind a devastated family.
Tara McNulty was killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church. Tara's two children were wounded in the shooting but survived. pic.twitter.com/fGXiQqDKA2
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
Richard and Theresa Rodriguez were killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church. Richard, 51, was a retired railroad worker. pic.twitter.com/SxQexSmndt
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
Scott Marshall, 58, and Karen Marshall, 59. The Air Force retirees were trying out a new church Sunday after moving back to La Vernia. pic.twitter.com/n7oxKtYB0W
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
Dennis and Sara Johnson were both killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church. Friends called them "the great couple". pic.twitter.com/JKO1SBy2TK
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
And the deaths of the children are just heart-wrenching.
So sad. This is Karla Holcombe and her 18-month-old granddaughter Noah. Both were killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church. pic.twitter.com/Wnz3SxetQw
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 6, 2017
Emily Hill was killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church. Her brother, sister, and mom also died. pic.twitter.com/6VZvhHLrcM
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
Megan Hill died Sunday inside First Baptist Church. This picture of her was taken the day before at a 4H Food Challenge. pic.twitter.com/X61K69NcUT
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
Greg Hill was killed Sunday inside First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. His mom and two sisters also died. pic.twitter.com/CXzEoe76Eb
— Robert Price (@RobertPriceTV) November 7, 2017
All taken from this life too soon by a cowardly thug who never should have been armed. I hope the Air Force brass stares long and hard at these precious faces as they deal with the consequences of their negligence.
May God guide them swiftly to His bosom.
As of now, they are better off than we, as they have flown home.
May He likewise speed their killer to his reward in the darkness, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Amen
We’ve come a long way in the last 50 years! People used to strive to have class and character. Now there’s hardly anyone left but trash. This is thanks to the leftist movement of the last 150 years. Thanks Leftists.
A sad correction to your post Deanna, reports now are that the youngest fatality was only 18 months old. May God speed all the victims to paradise on the wings of Angels, and may the POS that did this rot in hell, and have his name never uttered again… I’d think that the cemetery where they plant him will have to hire security, because the line to “water” his grave will be a long one.
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