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A4 U.S. NEWS
Monday 4 January 2021
Sheriff: Pastor dead, 2 hurt in shooting at Texas church

WINONA, Texas (AP) — A kilometers) east of Dallas.
pastor was killed and two Representatives of Starrville
other people were injured Methodist could not be
in a shooting at an East immediately reached for
Texas church Sunday after comment. Starrville Meth-
the pastor confronted a odist was built in 1853, ac-
man who had hidden from cording to the Texas State
police in the church over- Historical Association.
night, a local sheriff said. The shooting came a little
Authorities had been using more than a year after a
dogs and drones to search gunman opened fire at a
for the man late Saturday church near Fort Worth, kill-
in woods near Winona fol- ing two people before he
lowing a car chase, and was fatally shot by a con-
the pastor of the nearby gregant.
Starrville Methodist Church Texas officials hailed the
discovered him hiding in congregant’s quick action,
a church bathroom Sun- saying it prevented further
day morning, Smith County killing and showed the ef-
Sheriff Larry Smith said at a fectiveness of the state’s
news conference. permissive gun laws, includ-
Smith said he did not know ing a 2019 measure that af-
why the man was initially firmed the right of licensed
being pursued but that the handgun holders to carry a
license plates on his vehicle weapon in places of wor-
were “fictitious.” The Smith County Sheriff’s Office investigates a fatal shooting incident at the Starville Methodist ship.
The pastor drew a gun and Church in Winona, Texas, on Sunday morning, Jan. 3, 2021. Associated Press That law was passed in re-
ordered the man to stop, sponse to the 2017 massa-
Smith said, but the man noon with gunshot wounds Sgt. Larry Christian, of the lated, religion-related of- cre at First Baptist Church
grabbed the weapon and to his hand, but that it’s un- sheriff’s office. Smith said fense,” said Smith. of Sutherland Springs,
began shooting with it. The clear when he was shot. the pastor, his wife and two Gov. Greg Abbott sent his where a man fatally shot
pastor was killed, a second Smith declined to identify other people were in the condolences. more than two dozen peo-
person was injured by gun- the pastor, the other peo- church at the time. “Our hearts are with the ple at a Sunday service be-
fire and another was hurt in ple injured or the suspect. The man appears to have victims and the families of fore taking his own life.
a fall. The man then stole The sheriff said the shoot- taken shelter in the church those killed or injured in this Since then, a cottage in-
the pastor’s vehicle and ing suspect will likely face a out of convenience and terrible tragedy,” he said in dustry has sprung up in Tex-
fled east before being ar- capital murder charge. there’s nothing to indicate a statement. as and other states to train
rested by deputies in near- The shooting was report- the shooting was motivat- It’s unclear exactly when and arm civilians to protect
by Harrison County, Smith ed around 9:20 a.m., and ed by religious animus, the the man entered the their churches using the
said. He said the man was there were no services go- sheriff said. church in Starrville, near Wi- techniques and equipment
hospitalized Sunday after- ing on at that time, said “This is not a church-re- nona, about 100 miles (160 of law enforcement.q

McConnell, Pelosi homes vandalized after $2,000 relief fails

jority Leader Mitch McCon- everything,” apparently tantrum.” Louisville police
nell’s door in Kentucky on referencing Democratic are investigating the inci-
Saturday read, “WERES MY lawmakers’ failed efforts to dent at McConnell’s home,
MONEY.” “MITCH KILLS THE increase the coronavirus which occurred around 5
POOR” was scrawled over relief checks from $600 to a.m. Saturday. There cur-
a window. A profanity di- $2000. McConnell released rently are no suspects, po-
rected at the Republican a statement on Saturday lice spokesperson Dwight
senator was painted under condemning the vandal- Mitchell said in an email.
the mailbox. ism at his home in Louisville. On New Year’s Day, Senate
At House Speaker Nancy “I’ve spent my career fight- Republicans refused to al-
Pelosi’s home in San Fran- ing for the First Amendment low debate over a bill to in-
cisco, someone spray- and defending peaceful crease the amount of CO-
painted graffiti and left a protest,” he stated. “I ap- VID-19 relief. The increase,
pig’s head and fake blood preciate every Kentuck- supported by President
on New Year’s Day, police ian who has engaged in Donald Trump, passed the
A neighbor looks at the spray paint on the front of the home said. The vandalism was the democratic process Democratic-led House but
of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, r, Ky., which was reported around 2 a.m. whether they agree with was blocked by McCon-
vandalized overnight in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. Friday, a police statement me or not. This is different. nell.
Associated Press said, and a special investi- Vandalism and the politics The government has be-
By TIMOTHY D. EASLEY and homes with graffiti and in gations unit is trying to de- of fear have no place in gun sending out the small-
TRAVIS LOLLER one case a pig’s head as termine who did it. our society.” er payments to millions
Associated Press Congress failed to approve KGO-TV reported that graf- McConnell said he and his of Americans. The $600
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Van- an increase in the amount fiti found on the garage wife are not intimidated payment is going to indi-
dals lashed out at the lead- of money being sent to in- door of the Democratic by the vandalism. “We viduals with incomes up
ers of the U.S. House and dividuals to help cope with leader’s home included just hope our neighbors in to $75,000. Congress ap-
Senate over the holiday the coronavirus pandemic. the phrases “$2K,” “Can- Louisville aren’t too incon- proved the payment in late
weekend, blighting their Spray paint on Senate Ma- cel rent!” and “We want venienced by this radical December.q