Texas Church's Security Team Stops Active Shooter, 2 Church Members Killed

The gunman shot and killed two congregants at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, TX, before he was killed at about 10:50 a.m., White Settlement Police Chief J.P. Bevering said. The gunman died at the scene.

When a man drew a shotgun and opened fire on congregants of a Fort Worth-area chrch Sunday during service, two church security team members responded quickly and at least one shot him dead.

The gunman shot and killed two congregants at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, TX, before he was killed at about 10:50 a.m., White Settlement Police Chief J.P. Bevering said. The gunman died at the scene, Bevering told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The shooting appeared to happen during communion, according to a livestream video of the service obtained by the Star-Telegram.

The gunman was being watched by members of the church security team because of his appearance, said Mike Tinius, a church elder. Tinius would not elaborate what it was about the gunman’s appearance that attracted the attention of the church security personnel.

Isabel Arrreola, 38, said the gunman sat two feet behind her and her 7-year-old daughter.

His beard and the hair on his head looked fake, and he made her uncomfortable, Arreola said. She noticed him from the moment that he sat down, Arreola said.

Jack Wilson, a  firearms instructor and head of the church's security team, was one of the two men who responded. It appears he fired the fatal shots that ended the attack.

Wilson said Monday he was placed in a position he didn't want to be in, but had to react because "evil exists."

Fox News reported Monday that Wilson is a former FBI agent, but withdrew that report after not being able to confirm Wilson's history with the Bureau. Cox Media reports Wilson served as a reserve deputy sheriff from 1980 to 1986. He currently is a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement instructor and also a license to carry instructor.

 

 

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