Two parishioners shoot and kill gunman in Texas church attack

WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas - Congregants shot and killed a man who opened fire in a church near Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday (Dec 29), killing the attacker, police said.

A person shot by the suspect also died and a second parishioner has life-threatening injuries following the attack at the West Freeway Church of Christ, White Settlement Police Department chief JP Bevering said during a news conference on Sunday afternoon.

The assailant fired once before the "heroic actions" of the congregants retaliated to cut his assault short, Bevering said.

"Unfortunately, this country has seen so many of these that we've actually gotten used to it at this point. And it's tragic and it's a terrible situation, especially during the holiday season," said Jeoff Williams, a regional director with the Texas Department of Public Safety, at the news conference.

"I would like to point out that we have a couple of heroic parishioners who stopped short of just anything that you can even imagine, saved countless lives, and our hearts are going out to them and their families as well."

Authorities have released scant details about the victims, the shooter and what led to the attack.

An elder at the church told the New York Times that one of those killed was a security guard who responded to the shooter, calling him a dear friend.

"He was trying to do what he needed to do to protect the rest of us," said the elder, Mike Tinius.

"It's extremely upsetting to see anyone committing violence," he said.

Tinius said he did not know the gunman and that the shooting appeared to be random.

A woman who answered the phone at the West Freeway Church of Christ told the AP she could not answer any questions and that she was told to direct inquiries to authorities.

This is the scene outside West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement/Fort Worth. @FortWorthFire says 3 people shot, including the gunman. Worried family members are outside. Church members and witnesses are still inside being questioned @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/AS34KKNSzj

— Yona Gavino (@YonaGavinoTV) December 29, 2019

WFAA, a Dallas-based TV station, reported that the church live-streamed the service on YouTube and that the video showed a man wearing a long coat produce a rifle or a shotgun which he fired twice before someone shot back.

NEW: Scene outside of West Freeway Church of Christ where at least three people have reportedly been shot, two dead (including the shooter). Law enforcement is requesting media stay back from the scene. @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/a00dn89Fe3

— David Sentendrey (@DavidSFOX4) December 29, 2019

Some members of the congregation ducked behind pews while others with handguns rushed the gunman, WFAA said.

It said church members can be heard screaming and crying.

The AP has not seen the video, which is marked as private on the video-sharing website.

Two people with minor injuries were treated at the scene, MedStar Mobile Healthcare spokeswoman Macara Trusty said.

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Governor Greg Abbott asked the state to pray for the victims, their loved ones and the community of White Settlement, about 12km west of Fort Worth.

"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," Abbott said in a tweeted statement.

It is not the first deadly shooting to take place at a church in Texas.

In November 2017, Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire on the congregation at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing more than two dozen worshippers, before taking his own life.