Two people have been praised for their “heroic” actions after they shot and killed a gunman seconds after he opened fire on churchgoers in a Texas Church on Sunday.
Police said they were called to the scene at around about 10 a.m. on Sunday after the gunman entered the church and sat down alongside other churchgoers.
He then pulled out a shotgun before opening fire and killing two people while injuring others.
The two unidentified victims were taken to a local hospital but died from their injuries, police said.
On Sunday afternoon, White Settlement Police Chief J.P. Bevering praised the two volunteer security guards for their actions at the scene.
“The suspect was stopped thanks to the quick and heroic actions of those safety members inside the church,” Bevering said.
“This church has its own security team,” he said. “They were well trained.
“The heroism today is unparalleled. This team responded quickly, and within six seconds the shooting was over. Two of the parishioners who are volunteers on the security force drew their weapons and took out the killer immediately, saving untold number of lives.”
“It was the most scariest thing. You feel like your life is flashing before you,” she said.
“I was so worried about my little one,” she added.
In a press conference on Sunday afternoon, the FBI said that the gunman had been arrested in different jurisdictions but did not elaborate further on what charges he had previously been given. They added that they are still trying to determine the gunman’s motive.
The shooting comes after firearm laws in Texas became less restrictive on Sept. 1, when the Senate Bill 535 was passed.
Under the bill, licensed handgun owners are legally allowed to carry their weapons in places of worship such as churches, mosques, and synagogues as well as foster homes, public school grounds, and apartment buildings.
“It makes no sense to disarm the good guys and leave law-abiding citizens defenseless where violent offenders break the law to do great harm.
“The existing statute is confusing and clunky when it comes to clearly stating the rights of licensed Texans to carry on the premises of a church,” Campbell added.
“This bill provides clarity of the legislature’s intent to treat churches in the same manner as other privately owned establishments in Texas.”