Law enforcement

Investigators Work Through the Night at Site of Church Shooting

Crime scene investigators worked through the night gathering evidence in and around the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs where 26 people were killed during a church service Sunday morning.

Authorities say 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, of New Braunfels, dressed in tactical gear and began shooting outside the church before entering and shooting the congregants during an 11 a.m. service.

Law enforcement reported 23 people were killed inside the church, two outside and one died on the way to the hospital. Approximately 20 others were injured, their injuries ranging from minor to severe. The victims ranged in age from 5 to 72 years old.

"I've never seen anything like it," Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt told NBC DFW. "Bodies everywhere; Just devastating."

Investigators said the motive for the shooting is not yet known and they are processing several different crime scenes including the church, the car Kelley was found dead in, and Kelley’s home in Comal County.

Monday morning, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers had blocked off the church and a 2-block radius around the site.

Community Reaction

While investigators worked near the church, people gathered for a prayer vigil down the street on Sunday evening. They played music, held candles. Some cried and held each other as the group prayed together.

“It’s really gotten me shaken up,” said 16-year-old Kalissa Peterson who has attended youth group services with friends at the church. “I loved it here because it felt like home. It’s kind of scary to know that even somewhere like that can’t always be safe.”

Joyce Emily says she is a former member of the church and knows many of the congregants.

“They were giving, talented, hard workers in the church and for the Lord,” said Emily. “They were kind and generous in what they did.”

Hunter Koepp, 11, attended with his mom. He said he prayed for the community to find strength.

“That it would not cause us to break down and that it would be a new day tomorrow,” said Koepp. “Not that we forget about it, but we just go on.”

NBC 5's Courtney Gilmore contributed to this report.

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