Over 240 church members were assaulted last Sunday by a lone gunman bent on killing someone at the West Freeway Church of Christ near Ft. Worth, Texas. The shooting took place during a livestream broadcast of the church assembly during a communion service.
In just six seconds total, 3 seconds from the time the first shot was fired, two church members and a gunman were shot dead in a quick barrage of gunfire. That is how quickly the event went down as church members try to recover from the horrendous scene at the church this past Sunday.
The two men murdered were church members Tony Wallace, 64, and Richard White, 67, both from the Fort Worth area.
Tony Wallace (Left) and Richard White, were killed in the West Freeway Church of Christ church shooting on Sunday.
The dead gunman is identified as Keith Kinnunen, 43, a man who was a known transient who had visited the church assembly before. The Ft. Worth CBS affiliate reported Kinnunen’s police record shows he was arrested for “theft and deadly violence.” Kinnunen had on a fake beard and wig.
Nichole Manna with the Star-Telegram reported that “One man was standing toward the back of the sanctuary holding a tray when the shooter got up from a nearby pew, walked toward the man and appeared to say something to him.
The gunman sat back down at a pew as the man he spoke to moved to another wall. The gunman then got up, appeared to have said something to the man again. Then, the gunman backed up, pulled out a long gun and fired a shot toward the man who was holding the tray. In a split second, another man who was standing nearby reached into his jacket, but was also shot by the gunman.”
Here is video of the West Freeway Church of Christ, White Settlement, Texas, shooting that took place last Sunday. The gunman is in the upper left area of the screen. Video Courtesy: ABC7 News Ft. Worth.
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The suspect was shot to death by church congregant Jack Wilson who responded quickly to the threat posed by the gunman. Wilson, 71, is a licensed firearms instructor and a current candidate for Hood County Commissioner. Wilson quickly pulled his firearm, took quick steady aim and eliminated the threat to life and limb.
Hero of White Settlement Church Shooting Jack Wilson. Wilson is a firearms instructor and is running for Hood County Commissioner.
In an interview with Fox4 Ft Worth, Wilson said, “I don’t feel like I killed an individual. I killed evil.” He continued, “I don’t see myself as a hero. I see myself as doing what needed to be done to take out the evil threat.” He fired a single shot. It was a head shot, and he says it was his round that killed the shooter. “I only fired one round. It was the only shot I had, which was a head shot.”
In an online statement, Wilson said:
“I just want to thank all who have sent their prayers and comments on the events of today. The events at West Freeway Church of Christ put me in a position that I would hope no one would have to be in, but evil exists and I had to take out an active shooter in church. I’m thankful to GOD that I have been blessed with the ability and desire to serve him in the role of head of security at the church. I am very sad in the loss of two dear friends and brothers in CHRIST, but evil does exist in this world and I and other members are not going to allow evil to succeed. Please pray for all the members and their families in this time. Thank you for your prayers and understanding.”
“I took out evil… You have to be prepared at all times because evil can happen anywhere at anytime.” Jack Wilson
Witnesses report that the man entered the church and sat down with parishioners. He then got up and confronted two church members and fired a shotgun killing them both. The church security team immediately responded with guns drawn eliminating the threat to other congregants. Screams can be heard on the church video amongst the congregants as the attack on and defense of the church takes place.
White Settlement Police Chief J. P. Bevering said that “the threat was stopped thanks to the quick and heroic actions of those safety members inside the church.”
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said that the church had its own “security team and was well trained.” He continued that “the heroism is unparalleled. This team responded quickly and within six seconds the shooting was over.”
Investigator Jeff Williams with the Department of Public Safety said the volunteers of the church security team are “heroes” who saved 242 other church members. He also praised them saying “the citizens of this community have a lot to be proud of.”
In September 2017, a Texas law allowed churches to have armed security. The same law allows licensed handgun owners to carry in church the church gives notice of gun restrictions.
Many gun advocates and church members point to the Bible to justify carrying firearms for protection of themselves and their family. Jesus instructed his followers at Luke 22:36b, that “he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”
This Texas law was approved following the First Baptist Church shooting in Sutherland Springs where 26 people were murdered and 20 more were wounded by a gunman in 2017.
Many citizens have praised Wilson and the church security team for their heroics in protecting the congregants from danger. These also say that this murderous event is just one reason why the second amendment and good guys with guns is valuable, important and needed in stopping bad guys with guns.
This church shooting will be fresh on the minds of state legislators coming back into session across the country within just weeks. Gun owners will be especially vigilant to defend their ability to defend their families and themselves.
Michael Reed is Editor of The Standard.
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