James Young “Red” McDaniel, a 53-year-old white male, died on June 22, 1980, during a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Daingerfield, Texas. McDaniel was a railroad shop foreman and a respected member of the community, known for his involvement in the church and local Masonic Lodge. On the day of the attack, McDaniel acted heroically in an attempt to protect fellow congregants from the gunman. When the assailant was forced into the church foyer by another member of the congregation, McDaniel followed and physically engaged the shooter, pushing him through the front doors in a struggle. During this confrontation, McDaniel was shot and fatally wounded.
The assailant was identified as Alvin Lee King III, a 45-year-old former high school teacher. King entered the church armed with multiple weapons, including a scoped Colt AR-15 SP1 rifle, an M1 carbine, and two revolvers. His motive stemmed from resentment toward church members who had refused to testify on his behalf in a criminal trial where he was accused of raping his daughter. King opened fire on the congregation, killing five people and injuring ten others. Among the deceased were James Y. “Red” McDaniel, age 53; Gene Gandy, age 49; Mary Regina “Gina” Linam, age 7; Thelma May Richardson, age 72; and Kenneth Alton Truitt, age 49.
Following the shooting, King attempted to flee but was subdued after shooting himself. He was arrested and charged with five counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder. However, before he could stand trial, King committed suicide in his prison cell on January 19, 1982. His death closed the case without a formal conviction, leaving the community to grapple with the trauma and loss caused by the attack. James Y. “Red” McDaniel’s actions during the shooting were later recognized for their bravery, and he was posthumously honored by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
