On Sunday, a gunman opened fire in a Texas church, killing two people, before being stopped by brave, legally-armed citizens, who were able to pacify the threat in seconds.
As Fox News reports, the gunman entered West Freeway Church of Christ and “sat down with the parishioners” before getting up and pulling out a shotgun. The gunman shot two parishioners who sadly perished after being rushed to a nearby hospital.
The death toll could have been much worse, however, had the shooter not been stopped by these armed churchgoers. According to the Daily Wire, one reporter claims to have seen video footage of the shooting and is saying the shooter was quickly taken down by these brave parishioners.
Bobby Ross Jr., Editor-in-Chief of The Christian Chronicle, “tweeted out a link to a live stream video from the church that showed the shooting take place. The video has since been set to private on YouTube,” the Daily Wire reports.
“It appears that a gunman shot two church members at back of [the] auditorium with a footlong weapon, then a member shot the gunman with a pistol,” Ross wrote. “This is just based on me watching the video again. Screaming afterward in the church. So tragic. Two quick shots at back, then another shot. Then at least three members (I believe) with pistols [walking] toward where the gunman appeared to fall.”
Two quick shots at back, then another shot. Then at least three members (I believe) with pistols watching toward where the gunman appeared to fall.
— Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) December 29, 2019
The Dallas Morning News reports on the video:
In the video, the gunman, who is wearing what seems to be a dark-colored hood, gets up from a pew in the back of the room and walks up to a man in a suit who is standing in the corner.
As the two speak and the man points to his right, the gunman reaches into his jacket and pulls out a shotgun.
A man sitting nearby stands up and reaches toward the back of his waistband as several others start to take cover, but most people in the sanctuary appear to be unaware of what is happening.
The gunman fires twice while stepping backward down the aisle, striking the man who stood up and then the man he first approached.
Another man then pulls out a handgun and fires once, striking the gunman just as he turns toward the front of the room. Six seconds have elapsed since the gunman pulled out his gun.
Thank God for the bravery of these church members. Had they not been present, armed, and trained this tragedy could have been much, much worse. It’s cliche but timelessly true: the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is good guys with guns.
The good guys don’t always have to be law enforcement and as this incident proves, nowadays we need to have more citizens armed and trained, ready to step up and be the good guys when evil strikes. These men boldly stood up and took action, saving the lives of their fellow churchgoers.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and families of those killed in the evil act of violence that occurred at the West Freeway Church of Christ,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement following news of the incident.
“Places of worship are meant to be sacred, and I am grateful for the church members who acted quickly to take down the shooter and help prevent further loss of life. Cecilia and I ask all Texans to join us in praying for the White Settlement community and for all those affected by this horrible tragedy,” he somberly added.
Statement on shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement: pic.twitter.com/Crrrvavvs6
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) December 29, 2019
Indeed, this was an evil act of violence but also a bold display of courage and bravery on the part of armed citizens doing what needed to be done to protect lives. Thank God for our Second Amendment right as Americans, and indeed it is Him who guarantees us these rights, to protect our persons as we practice the First Amendment in particular. Pray for the victims’ families and for all involved in this tragedy.
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