On Sunday we reported that a man entered a church in White Settlement, Texas, and fired on worshippers, before he was shot dead by a member(s) of the church security team.
Two victims, who have not yet been identified, died as the result of gunshot wounds. The assailant was only able to get off two shots before he was taken out by the alert guard, reportedly an ex-FBI agent. (There are some reports that a second member of the church security team fired on the suspect, but it’s not clear at this time if that’s the case.)
But what we didn’t know at the time was that several other armed congregants at the West Freeway Church of Christ grabbed their own firearms and ran to the danger. The church has taken down the livestream video—it’s graphic and disturbing—so I’m not going to post it, but I did grab some screenshots that show how the events unfolded.
First, we have the man reported to be the ex-FBI agent. There have been some (unconfirmed) reports that he may have either seen what the assailant was getting ready to do or had his eye on the suspicious character dressed in black and exhibiting odd behavior. Whatever the case, almost before the attacker could get his two shots off, the hero, who likely saved countless lives, took him down as churchgoers dove under pews to hide from the assailant.
Next up, we have a second armed man, who follows our first armed congregant down the aisle toward where the victims and the shooter lay.
Then a third armed worshipper — this one appears to be a woman — makes her way down the second aisle and toward the danger.
Finally, we have another individual, locked and loaded, who follows congregant #3:
Thank God for a Texas law, which went into effect on Sept. 1, loosening restrictions on guns in places of worship and schools — otherwise, there may have been even more carnage. Senate Bill 535 allows licensed handgun owners to legally carry their firearms in places of worship.
Campbell explained that the existing law had been “confusing and clunky when it comes to clearly stating the rights of licensed Texans to carry on the premises of a church. This bill provides clarity of the Legislature’s intent to treat churches in the same manner as other privately owned establishments in Texas.”
That didn’t stop also-ran failed Democrat presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke from claiming that the current gun laws aren’t working:
So saddened to hear about another church shooting in Texas, this one in White Settlement near Fort Worth. Clearly what we are doing in Texas, what we are doing in this country, when it comes to guns is not working. https://t.co/krwcpL1lih
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) December 29, 2019
I suspect the congregants whose lives were saved on Sunday by good guys with guns would beg to differ. In fact, the pastor of the church basically said just that, declaring that he’s grateful for the law that allows guns in places of worship.
West Freeway Church of Christ Senior Minister Britt Farmer: "I’m thankful our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves" pic.twitter.com/5fLSnSjQzg
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 30, 2019
Join the conversation as a VIP Member