At least 28 people are dead after a man walked into First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Wilson County Sunday morning and opened fire, a federal law enforcement official said.

Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt told The Wilson County News that the shooter has been killed and it wasn't clear whether the shooter was being counted as one of the 28.

Eight of the wounded were transported to Brooke Army Medical Center and and seven others to area hospitals, a local official said.

A young man standing outside the hospital, his head bandaged and his right arm taped from where an IV had been put in, said he had been wounded in the shooting and that this father had been killed.

His mother was in another hospital. He declined to talk but expressed faith that they would pull through with God's help.
Amanda Mosel's 13-year-old goddaughter was gunned down in the shooting. With tears in her eyes, the 34-year-old stood outside the Sutherland Springs Community Building where citizens gathered following the shooting.

Pastors of churches around Sutherland, Texas described the moments after they were notified there had been a shooting at a church in town. More than 20 people were killed when a gunman opened fire during a service on Sunday. (Nov. 11)
Media: Associated Press

"From what I've heard, someone just walked in and started shooting," she said.

Mosel said she "sadly" didn't attend church this morning, but the church is one she's attended.

"There's maybe 50 of us," she said. "It's a small, tight-knit church."

Devy Collins, 53, said one of the church pastor's children was killed.

Wilson County Commissioner Larry Wiley told mySA.com the shooter was a man. Wiley did not know if he was a member of the church. He also said that 24-27 people are dead.

"I am hearing 24-27 are, in fact, dead and I have not heard from anyone the exact number of injured," he said.

At least 10 victims were transported to Connally Memorial Medical Center in Floresville, said spokeswoman Megan Posey. She could not speak to their age or gender, but said there are multiple victims with gunshot wounds, and some have had to be taken by helicopter to a different treatment center.

A Sutherland Springs resident who lives near the church said the gunshots sounded like "somebody was banging a piece of wood" and she wasn't sure what the loud noises were at first. She heard a rapid succession of "pop-pop-pop" sounds, then a pause, then another burst of pops. The pattern kept repeating itself. She looked at the church but saw no activity.

Minutes later, police cars swarmed through the neighborhood.

"I'm shocked by it," said the neighbor, who declined to provide her name. She's lived in Sutherland Hills for nearly 20 years and enjoyed the community's quiet, friendly atmosphere. "It's really unbelievable," she said.

The Texas Rangers within the Texas Department of Public Safety is the lead investgating agency, assisted by law enforcement officers from Wilson County, Bexar County, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, among others.

"We're looking at a pretty horrific scene that'll take several days to process," one official said.

Lawmakers spoke out on the shooting on social media.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, said: "Terrible news coming out of Sutherland Springs, TX. I'm monitoring developments and am praying for the shooting victims."

President Donald Trump also took to Twitter to express condolences for victims.

"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," he said.

The church is southeast of San Antonio between La Vernia, Floresville and Stockdale off Texas 87 at 216 4th Street.

Sutherland Springs about 21 miles east of Downtown San Antonio and according to the latest data has a population of about 643.

More on this breaking story when information becomes available.