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| Most ACCURATE as well, with what is known at this time.
According to initial reports the gunman drove to the store across from the church and exited his vehicle. He began shooting walking towards the church, moved to the right of the church and continued firing and then entered the church shooting a 5.56x45mm Ruger AR rifle. It appears it was loaded with Hornady TAP or VMAX ammunition. 23 people were killed in the church, two outside the church and one died at a hospital. 20 more were wounded.
A neighbor heard the gunfire and responded by grabbing a rifle and taking up a shooting position. He fired on the gunman as he exited the church. It appears the gunman was hit by the armed citizen as he dropped his rifle, a Ruger AR, and headed to his vehicle. The armed citizen continued to engage the gunman attempting to stop him and prevent him from fleeing. He fired at least one shot which shattered the back window of the vehicle. The shooter drove away at a high rate of speed. In order to prevent the gunman from escaping and causing further harm the armed citizen flagged down a vehicle. The armed citizen quickly informed the driver of the vehicle, a pick-up truck, the situation and entered the vehicle. The driver of the pick-up truck set out in pursuit of the fleeing gunman while contacting the police via his cell phone. During the pursuit the driver of the pick-up closed the distance with the fleeing gunman while reaching speeds of 95 mph. The pick-up truck driver was able to get within a few feet of the fleeing gunman's vehicle when the gunman lost control of his vehicle and went off the road at an intersection.
The armed citizen exited the pick-up and covered the gunman's vehicle with his rifle to prevent the gunman's escape. The driver of the pick-up stated the gunman made no movements inside his vehicle. The driver of the truck placed his vehicle in park and informed the police of the gunman's location. The police arrived on location approximately 5 to 7 minutes later. The gunman died at the scene, and as the driver of the truck stated he made no movements and there were no shots fired, it appears he died from a gunshot wound inflicted by the armed citizen. Police stated the gunman's vehicle contained multiple firearms and he may have been headed to another location to continue his shooting spree, but was killed instead.
The shooter, Devin Patrick Kelley, was 26 years old, father of two. He served in the US Air Force from 2009 to 2013 and was Court-Martialed and discharged in 2014 after assaulting his wife and child and serving 12 months in the brig. He was dressed in all black with a mask and "tactical vest". If he had body armor on it was likely soft body armor penetrated by the armed citizen's rifle. Reports indicate he was possibly hit in the neck.
Without a doubt the armed citizen is a hero who likely saved many more lives by his quick thinking and willingness to step in and take action. His ability to properly employ a long gun against an armed and moving gunman while under great stress saved lives and put an end to the shooting spree. His actions demonstrate how a legally owned firearm can be used to save lives if the person behind the gun has the mettle and ability to properly put it to use.
David M. Fortier | |
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The best summary of the church shooting I've read.
