Gene Gandy, a 49-year-old man of Navarro County, Texas, tragically lost his life on June 22, 1980, in Daingerfield, Texas. He was one of the victims of a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Daingerfield. The perpetrator, Alvin King III, a former high school math teacher, opened fire on the congregation during a Sunday morning service, killing five people and injuring ten others.
Alvin King III had been facing incest charges and was set to go on trial the following day. He had hoped that members of the church would testify as character witnesses, but they declined. In a fit of rage, King entered the church, screamed "this is war," and began shooting. The congregation, caught off guard, scrambled for cover as King continued to fire. Several brave individuals, including Red McDaniel and Kenneth Truitt, attempted to subdue King, but they were shot in the process. King eventually fled the church and was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident left a lasting impact on the community of Daingerfield, and a monument was erected outside the church to honor the victims and remember the tragedy. The heroism of those who tried to stop the shooter was widely recognized, and their actions saved many lives.
The case did not lead to any further arrests or litigations, as the shooter took his own life before he could stand trial. The community continues to reflect on the tragedy and the bravery of those who risked their lives to protect others.
