By: Teresa Mull

Armed parishioners likely stopped a mass shooting at a church in Texas when they shot and killed a gunman after he killed two people at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement.

Neither the gunman nor the victims have been named. The Dallas Morning News reports:

“We lost two great men today, but it could have been a lot worse, and I am thankful our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves,” said Britt Farmer, the church’s senior minister.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, speaking at the evening news conference, highlighted changes in state law that ensured the right to carry concealed weapons in churches.
He credited the church’s volunteer security team for protecting their fellow members.

“The heroism today is unparalleled,” Patrick said. “This team responded quickly, and within six seconds the shooting was over.”

Though it appears Patrick’s comments were not factual:

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The shooting was caught on the church’s live-stream video (which has since been removed). The video shows the armed parishioners’ nearly instantaneous reaction in stopping the gunman almost as soon as he revealed his weapon.

Photo credit: Live-stream video

Teresa Mull is editor of Gunpowder Magazine. Contact her at [email protected].