Trump, Pence respond to deadly church shooting in Texas
President Trump tweeted Sunday as reports emerged about a deadly shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
"May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas," Mr. Trump wrote. "The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan."
May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2017
Late Sunday from Tokyo on his first trip to Asia, Mr. Trump addressed the deadly attack again saying it was "an act of evil."
"Victims and their families were in their sacred place of worship ... we cannot put into words the pain and grief we all feel," Mr. Trump said. "In dark times such as these, Americans do we what do best and we pull together. We lock hands and we joins arms. Through the tears and through the sadness we stand strong."
Mr. Trump pledged his full support to the state of Texas and the local communities affected by Sunday's attack.
"We offer our thanks to the first responders, to the FBI, all of the many people involved ... I will continue to follow the developments closely. All of America is praying to God," Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump's daughter and White House adviser Ivanka Trump also offered her condolences, tweeting that the
country's hearts are breaking for the victims and their families."
"We love & are with you!" she added.
God bless the people of Sutherland Springs, TX. Our country’s hearts are breaking for the victims & their families. We love & are with you!
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 5, 2017
Vice President Mike Pence echoed those concerns, tweeting that he and his wife Karen were sending "prayers to victims and their families in Texas."
"We grieve w/ you & stand w/ resolve against evil. Thank you to the first responders," he tweeted.
Karen & I send prayers to victims & their families in TX.We grieve w/ you & stand w/ resolve against evil. Thank you to the first responders
— Vice President Pence (@VP) November 5, 2017
At least 26 people were killed in the shooting, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news conference Sunday night.
The shooting suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, CBS News has learned from federal law enforcement sources.
Kelley is a former U.S. Air Force member who served from 2010 to 2014. He was dishonorably discharged and court martialed in May 2014, CBS News has learned.
A law enforcement official confirmed the gunman is deceased. He was shot after a car chase with police. It's unclear if he shot himself or if he was shot by police, CBS News investigative producer Pat Milton reports.