Devin Patrick Kelley

Mass Murderer

Devin Patrick Kelley and the 2017 Sutherland Springs Church Massacre

Background

Devin Patrick Kelley was born on February 12, 1991, and lived near New Braunfels, Texas. He became responsible for one of the deadliest mass shootings at a place of worship in United States history when he attacked the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs on November 5, 2017. Kelley killed 26 victims, including an unborn child, and wounded 22 other people before fleeing the community and taking his own life. Kelley had previously served in the United States Air Force. He enlisted in 2010 and was assigned to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. His military career ended after serious acts of domestic violence. In 2012, Kelley was court-martialed for assaulting his first wife and her young son. The child suffered a fractured skull during the abuse. Kelley was convicted, sentenced to 12 months of confinement, reduced in rank, and given a bad-conduct discharge. His conviction should have prevented him from legally purchasing firearms. However, the Air Force failed to properly submit his disqualifying criminal information to the federal background-check system. Kelley was therefore able to purchase several weapons, including the Ruger AR-556 semiautomatic rifle later used in the church massacre.

Events Leading to the Attack

Before the shooting, Kelley had a turbulent relationship with members of his second wife's family. Investigators said he had sent threatening messages to his mother-in-law, Lula Woicinski White, who regularly attended the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Authorities described the conflict as a domestic situation rather than an attack motivated primarily by religion or race. Kelley's mother-in-law was not at the church on the morning of November 5, 2017. Her mother, Lula White, was present and became one of the people killed. Kelley reportedly contacted members of the family shortly before the massacre and continued making hostile statements.

The First Baptist Church Attack

Shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 5, 2017, Kelley drove a white Ford Explorer to Sutherland Springs, a small community in Wilson County southeast of San Antonio. He stopped near a Valero gas station across the road from the First Baptist Church, where worshippers were attending the regular Sunday service. At approximately 11:20 a.m., Kelley stepped from his vehicle wearing black tactical clothing, a ballistic vest and a mask. He was armed with a Ruger AR-556 semiautomatic rifle and carried numerous loaded magazines. He crossed the road toward the church and began firing at the building and people outside. Kelley killed two victims outside before entering the sanctuary. Inside, adults and children were seated in the pews while visiting pastor John Bryan Holcombe conducted the service. Kelley moved through the church, firing repeatedly into the congregation. Investigators later determined that he discharged hundreds of rounds during an attack lasting approximately 11 minutes. The church routinely recorded its services, and the attack was captured by a camera positioned inside the sanctuary. Investigators who examined the recording concluded that Kelley deliberately fired at victims throughout the room, paused to reload and continued shooting at people who were wounded or attempting to hide. Twenty-three victims were found dead inside the church, two were killed outside and another died after being transported for medical treatment. ...

Confirmed Victims: (25)

Keith Allen Braden 62 yr old Male

Devin Kelley