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U.S. NEWS Monday 13 noveMber 2017

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Texas town holds 1st Sunday service since church attack

By CLAUDIA LAUER dozen people. But when
Associated Press organizers realized hun-
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, dreds planned to attend,
Texas (AP) — Hundreds of the service was moved to
mourners crowded into a massive white tent erect-
the tiny town of Sutherland ed in a baseball field.
Springs for the first Sunday So many people turned up
service since a gunman that the tent’s side flaps
stormed the First Baptist had to be opened for an
Church a week earlier, kill- overflow crowd so that
ing more than two dozen those who couldn’t get a
people in the worst mass seat could see and hear
shooting in Texas history. what was going on inside.
After an emotional ser- Mark Collins, a previous
mon held outdoors under pastor at First Baptist, said
a massive white tent, con- it was the largest gathering
gregants and the public in the church’s 100-year
were invited to return to history.
the church for the first time The front three rows were
since the tragedy. A chill- reserved for survivors of the
ing memorial set up inside attack and the families of
the church included 26 those killed. Many arrived A memorial for the victims of the shooting at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church includes 26
white chairs — including early, as a steady rain fell white chairs, each painted with a cross and and rose, is displayed in the church Sunday, Nov. 12,
one for the unborn baby of on the tarp roof, offering 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
a victim who was pregnant hugs to each other and Associated Press
— bearing each victim’s prayers. for one that had a pink rose point-blank range, accord- ple from other churches
name or nickname paint- Congregants wept during for the unborn baby. ing to witness accounts. dropped off handmade
ed in gold. the service and a mov- A line of about 85 people The dead ranged in age prayer cloths and tiny
Pastor Frank Pomeroy ing version of “Amazing snaked from the church from 18 months to 77 years wooden crosses, among
shared his personal heart- Grace,” led by three sing- entrance and curved old. About 20 people were other gifts. Mental health
ache and a message that ers and a man on guitar, around the block, includ- wounded in the shooting. organizations provided tis-
the community bound to- as the voices of hundreds ing people who traveled Kelley died of an appar- sues and brought therapy
gether by faith can move sang along. from as far away as the ent self-inflicted gunshot dogs to the service.
past the evil that attacked Some bowed their heads, East Coast, said Collins, the wound after he was shot Republican Sen. John
the church seven days ear- others raised their hands church’s former pastor who and chased by two men Cornyn spoke at the ser-
lier. and swayed as the mu- has returned to help in the who heard the gunfire at vice, saying lives were sto-
“Rather than choose dark- sic played, and tears tragedy’s aftermath. the church. Investigators len as darkness overtook
ness as that young man did streamed down their faces. Constructing the memorial have said the attack ap- one man’s heart.
that day, we choose life,” “Amazing Grace” was also wasn’t an easy decision, he peared to stem from a “The pain of losing 26 mem-
Pomeroy said during the played at halftime at Flo- said. Some members have domestic dispute involv- bers is overwhelming,” Cro-
service, his voice crack- resville High School at Fri- said they never wanted to ing Kelley and his mother- nyn said. “Many lives have
ing as he spoke about his day night’s game, in tribute step foot inside the site, he in-law, who sometimes been changed forever. ... I
14-year-old daughter, An- to the victims. said, while others have said attended services at the can’t imagine what you’ve
nabelle, who was among Later Sunday, the First they needed to see it. church but wasn’t there been grappling with ever
those killed in the Nov. 5 Baptist Church opened its Next Sunday’s service is ex- the day of the shooting. since.”q
rampage. doors for the first time since pected to take place on Kelley had a history of do-
“I know everyone who the shooting. the grounds of the church, mestic violence:
gave their life that day,” The inside had been trans- likely in a makeshift struc- He was given a bad con-
he said, pausing to gather formed into a memorial ture, Collins said. Church duct discharge from the Air
himself. “Some of whom with its walls, floor and pul- members will have to de- Force after pleading guilty
were my best friends and pit painted white. cide whether to demol- to assaulting his first wife
my daughter.” He wiped Broken windows and ceil- ish the church, as some and stepson.
his eyes, then added, “I ing tiles had been replaced have said is likely, he said, The church has reached
guarantee they are danc- and bullet holes filled. The but plans are also being out to Kelley’s family and
ing with Jesus today.” church’s pews, the carpet discussed to build a new was praying for them, Col-
Initially, the church had and all equipment had structure nearby. lins said.
planned to hold Sunday’s been removed. All that The gunman, Devin Pat- “Our hearts and prayers go
service at an adjacent filled the space were the rick Kelley, went aisle to out to his family,” he add-
community center, which 26 white chairs, each with aisle looking for victims ed.
can accommodate a few a red rose tied to it except and shot crying babies at For Sunday’s service, peo-