SUTHERLAND SPRINGS

Friday marks a somber four year anniversary of the deadliest mass shooting in Texas.

A trial has begun to assess damages that the U.S. Air Force owes to survivors and families of those killed in a 2017 mass shooting at a Texas church.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A trial to assess damages owed to families of the victims of the Sutherland Springs church massacre began with vivid witness accounts of the shooting.John Porter Holcombe testified [San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the federal government was mostly responsible for Texas' deadliest mass shooting at a Sutherland Springs church in 2017, concluding that the U.S.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News Sutherland Springs, Mass shooting, Texas Tribune, San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Air Force is largely responsible for a 2017 mass shooting at a Texas church for failing to report the shooter's criminal history.

A federal judge said the Air Force's failure to report the shooter's domestic violence conviction to the FBI allowed him to purchase the gun.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Air Force is mostly responsible for a former serviceman killing more than two dozen people at a Texas church in 2017 because it failed to submit his criminal history into a database, which should have prevented him from purchasing firearms.

The U.S. Air Force failed to submit a former serviceman's criminal history into a database, which should have prevented him from purchasing firearms later used in a shooting, a federal judge ruled.

A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Air Force bears primary responsibility for the Sutherland Springs massacre because it failed to enter the shooter's criminal...

A federal judge has ruled the U.S. Air Force is largely responsible for a former serviceman killing more than two dozen people at a Texas church in 2017.

Families of the 25 people who died in the 2017 Sutherland Springs shooting sued the store where the rifle and high-capacity magazine was purchased.

The Texas Supreme Court says families of the victims in the shooting at a Sutherland Springs church can not sue Academy Sports and Outdoors.

Judge to take a few weeks to decide if the government is liable in the civil lawsuit filed by the Sutherland Springs church shooting victim's families.

Texas Ranger lead investigator and shooter's mother-in-law give testimony on Thursday.

The families allege that failure by the U.S. Air Force to properly flag shooter Devin Kelley in a national background check database allowed Kelley to lawfully obtain the weapon used in the slayings.

SAN ANTONIO – The deadliest mass shooting in Texas history is now the subject of a new documentary. Documentary filmmaker Charlie Minn, who last year released a film about the El Paso Walmart mass shooting, is the director/producer for “Miracle on 4th Street.”The film features interviews with many of the victims’ families, survivors, first responders and community members. This is the first time a documentary has been made about the church shooting on Nov. 5, 2017. The documentary will also be shown in theaters in San Antonio, Cibolo, Kerrville, New Braunfels, Pleasanton, and Schertz beginning Friday, Feb. 26. For showtimes and a list of the theaters, visit the film’s website.

The 9@9: Presidential election; protests overnight; Sutherland Springs shooting anniversaryPublished: November 5, 2020, 9:53 amThe 9@9 features some of the biggest stories making headlines at home, around the country and across the globe. Here’s what’s trending.

Three years ago, the nation wasn’t focused on the next race for the White House. And possibly no one could have understood that a global health crisis would have killed more than 230,000 Americans, including more than 18,300 Texans. On Nov. 5, 2017, the nation was gripped by an unspeakable tragedy at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. There, 26 people were killed and 20 others were injured when a gunman opened fire during a Sunday service at the church, located in the city just southeast of Bexar County. Eighteen months after the tragedy, a new First Baptist Church building opened to members of the community.

FLORESVILLE, Texas A hotel suite in Floresville became a makeshift studio for a series of interviews for a new documentary about the states worst mass shooting. On November 5, 2017, 26 people were killed during a Sunday morning worship service at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. The film is extremely survivor-driven without one mention of the killer, said filmmaker Charlie Minn.The 13th Man revisits 1999 Texas A&M bonfire collapseMinn said he titled the documentary "Miracle on Fourth Street," to pay tribute to where the church is located. Uhl's 16-year-old daughter, Hayley, was killed not long after Uhl dropped her off at the church she attended twice a week. After being contacted by the church about the documentary, Uhl said she agreed because "I feel like everybody should know Hayley's story and the person Hayley was."

Erich Schlegel/Getty ImagesSAN ANTONIO - Editor's note: KSAT 12 digital journalist Erica Hernandez remembers the day of the deadly shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. Before Nov. 5, 2017, Sutherland Springs was a place many didn't know about, but I did. 2 years later: Sutherland Springs leaders looking for changeThat morning is one I will never forget. I was producing a one-month special and had to go back to Sutherland Springs. Sutherland Springs One Month LaterIt was the first time I had been back.

Erich Schlegel/Getty ImagesSAN ANTONIO - A sporting goods retailer violated the law by selling an AR-15-style rifle and large-capacity magazine to a man who used them to kill more than two dozen worshippers at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, federal prosecutors said. The Department of Justice said Tuesday in a San Antonio court filing that Devin Kelley presented a Colorado driver's license at an Academy Sports + Outdoors store in San Antonio to buy the rifle and ammunition. Prosecutors said federal law requires Academy to comply with Colorado statutes that would have prohibited the sale. Kelley fired at least 450 rounds in the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs in November 2017. Related stories:Sutherland Springs families file new lawsuit against Academy over illegal gun saleJudge allows Sutherland Springs lawsuit against Academy Sports & Outdoors to proceedAcademy Sports + Outdoors wants Sutherland Springs lawsuit dismissedCopyright 2019 The Associated Press.

click image GoFundMe / Suzanne BortelA first responder praised as a hero for his response to the Sutherland Springs mass shooting in 2017 is now recovering from injuries of his own.Rusty Duncan, a volunteer firefighter who gained local and national attention after the massacre at Sutherland Springs' First Baptist Church, was in a motorcycle accident outside of Stockdale last Friday. He said he was hurled about 100 feet. "Just sliding, rolling, flipping," Duncan said.Since being in the hospital, Duncan received a call from Ryland Ward, one of the victims he carried from the church the day of the shooting. "I'll keep going too. "Community members have set up a GoFundMe for Duncan's medical bills since he doesn't have insurance.

As part of the 4th Annual Pathways to Hope Conference on mental illness, a survivor and first responder from the Sutherland Springs shooting, along with the church's pastor shared their experience in... Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

As part of the 4th Annual Pathways to Hope Conference on mental illness, a survivor and first responder from the Sutherland Springs shooting, along with the church's pastor shared their experience in... Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

For shooting survivor David Colbath, nothing can ever erase what he lived through the morning of Nov. 7, 2017, at Sutherland Springs Baptist Church - a shooting that left 26 of his fellow worshippers dead. "Now I want to reach out and help people that have helped me (as well as) people that need help," Colbath said. Experts from the National Alliance on Mental Illness say that many times family members don't know how to communicate with their loved one experiencing trauma, anxiety or other mental diagnosis. Doug Beach, chairman of The Pathways to Hope Conference says the best way to help loved ones heal is through community awareness and support. To learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness, click here to visit its website.

They were recently called to serve the city of El Paso, reeling after this month's mass shooting. The counselors are also continuing their care in Sutherland Springs, even two years after that tragedy. On Nov. 5 2017, counselors like Mary Beth Fisk got to Sutherland Springs just an hour and a half after a man opened fire inside the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. We also now have an office at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, where we have a counselor," Fisk said. They sent six different teams to El Paso, in six different shifts.

The goal was not to limit access to weapons or ban assault-style rifles, but to expand gun rights. "When Texas Republicans look at these massacres, they don't blame guns, or gun laws. "If a school massacre and a church massacre didn't change people's opinion, the El Paso massacre isn't going to." Texas' resistance to tightening gun laws stands in contrast to how some Republican-led states have reacted after mass shootings. Alice Tripp, legislative director and lobbyist for the NRA-affiliated Texas State Rifle Association, said Texans won't follow other states on gun laws.

The goal was not to limit access to weapons or ban assault-style rifles, but to expand gun rights. "When Texas Republicans look at these massacres, they don't blame guns, or gun laws. "If a school massacre and a church massacre didn't change people's opinion, the El Paso massacre isn't going to." Texas' resistance to tightening gun laws stands in contrast to how some Republican-led states have reacted after mass shootings. Alice Tripp, legislative director and lobbyist for the NRA-affiliated Texas State Rifle Association, said Texans won't follow other states on gun laws.

SAN ANTONIO - UPDATE: State Rep. Roland Gutierrez started a petition to pressure Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to address gun safety in Texas. Greg Abbott to call a special session to pass gun safety legislation. Much of the legislation Gutierrez wants to address in a special session has already been considered in Texas. KSAT reached out to the governors office for a response to the call for a special session.

"Some people were very unnerved, crying and needing to be comforted," said Rabbi Jonathan Perlman of the New Light Congregation. He said the trustees discussed plans to donate funds to survivors of the new massacres. "We need to identify people who are extremists around this country and hold them under a microscope." "Make sure you talk to your children or young people in general about these shootings," she tweeted on Sunday. In June, the Tree of Life's rabbi, Jeffrey Myers, participated with Manning in a forum on race relations in Charleston.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas – More than 18 months after an unspeakable tragedy, the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs will celebrate a redemptive triumph Sunday. The church will hold a dedication to mark the opening of its new worship center starting at 11 a.m., which will officially culminate a fundraising and construction project initiated after a shooting at the previous worship center on Nov. 5, 2017. On that day, 26 people were killed and 20 others injured when a gunman opened fire in the church during a Sunday service. The new worship center will feature two towers, one for the church bell and the other for a prayer space. A memorial room honoring the 26 victims also has been built.

Many people these days think of tragedy when they think of Sutherland Springs. But residents would rather you learn about the community's origins.

SAN ANTONIO – Rather than raise money for its class activities like it’s done every year, the senior class at San Antonio Christian School raised in excess of $4,000 for the grief-stricken community of Sutherland Springs. “It’s just so great to come out as a class and come together to work toward something other than ourselves,” said Joshua Pink, the senior who organized the Friday event. Pink invited Frank Pomeroy, pastor of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, to be there to accept the donation. Despite the terrible loss the day of the Sutherland Springs shooting, Pomeroy had a heartfelt message for the nearly 500 students who were at the barbecue fundraiser. But it’s in those times that we find ourselves at our highest point of faith,” Pink said.

SAN ANTONIO – A KSAT-12 special will examine the aftermath of the shooting inside the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, where 26 parishioners were killed during Sunday morning church services Nov. 5. Life 'After Sutherland Springs'Much of the special, called "After Sutherland Springs," focuses on the fallout of the shooting, including how the gunman was able to buy guns because his conviction for domestic violence and stay at a mental hospital did not turn up in background checks. The coverage also includes a look at how other mass shooters were able to get their hands on guns. CLICK HERE TO SEE KSAT-12'S COVERAGE OF SUTHERLAND SPRINGS"That's probably the worst scene I've ever seen," FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs said. Finally, "After Sutherland Springs" includes messages of hope from First Baptist's Pastor Frank Pomeroy and other local religious leaders who want people to continue to believe in the good of others and not to give in to fear.

Related: Funeral information released for church shooting victimsHaley was one of nine children, including an unborn baby, killed in Sunday's mass shooting at First Baptist Church. Uhl said her daughter loved the church, where she was a member of the youth group that went to a camp this summer. Haley had a special connection with youth leader Karla Holcombe, who also died in the shooting. Uhl remembers her last words to Haley as she dropped the teen off at the church, where the teen attended every Thursday and Sunday. Related: Latest on Texas church shooting"She loved babies," Uhl said.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas – As the town of Sutherland Springs rallies around the victims, donations and memorials keep coming in, including from people who live outside of Texas. Zanis has been making crosses for crime victims since 1997, including the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas. "She was my best friend, my little best friend," Smith said. Related: Latest on Texas church shooting"It means that there are kind people out there (who) care. Fitch is carrying the cross 26 kilometers around the area before leaving it in front of the church to stay.

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – A pending 2013 sexual assault case involving the shooter in Sunday's church massacre in Sutherland Springs has stirred reaction among some residents. Related: Ex-girlfriend of church gunman: 'Devin was a very disgusting person'Reynolds, who took office in January, said he's now reviewing what happened with the still pending sexual assault case and a disturbance call the following year involving Kelley. "Until you're proven guilty, you're not guilty," Fisher said. Related: Latest on Texas church shootingNew Braunfels resident Justin Harris said it doesn't bother him that Kelley was from New Braunfels. "It doesn't really seem like it reflects upon on the town or the people here, or myself.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas – Twenty-six crosses representing the 26 lives lost during the church shooting in Sutherland Springs were placed across the street from First Baptist Church. The grief in Sutherland Springs is still palpable after the deadly shooting Sunday, especially for people such as the Green family who knew every family affected. RELATED: Texas Church Shooting: Mother killed while trying to protect children from gunfireTwenty-six white crosses line a field, pushed and pulled by the relentless wind, but they don’t fall. “We're here every Sunday, but I believe because of divine intervention, I had an errand to run first,” Rod Green said. LATEST NEWS ON TEXAS CHURCH SHOOTINGRod Green was especially close with the pastor’s 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle Pomeroy.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas – A grandmother is still in shock after losing two of her grandchildren and her daughter-in-law, who were all victims of the Sutherland Springs shooting on Sunday. "They came down and told us that they were still working on Emily," Ward said. Ward’s son, Chris Ward, was not at church during the shooting, but his wife, Joann, had taken their children: Emily, Brooke, Rianna and Ryland. LATEST NEWS ON TEXAS CHURCH SHOOTINGJust before midnight, Sandy Ward got the call that Brooke, 5, was killed, and then on Monday, Sandy was told her daughter-in-law, Joann, was found dead as well. Read more about the Texas church shootingSandy Ward said she wasn't feeling well so she didn't go to church that Sunday morning and Joann had just started going to church there.

SAN ANTONIO – A local priest is wrestling with how to forgive after his pregnant friend and members of her family were killed in Sunday's Sutherland Springs church shooting. He found solace among almost 150 other priests and many community members at a San Fernando Cathedral Mass, dedicated to the shooting victims. Candles flickered at the front of the cathedral representing those killed at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church. "I’ve just always known Crystal to be a woman who loved people, loved them with everything that she was. "We need to promote more venues of peace, venues of health, health of mind and heart and spirit; we cannot continue violence.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio-based grocer H-E-B is coming to the aid of those affected by the tragic church shooting in Sutherland Springs. The company will donate $150,000 and has launched a statewide check donation campaign that allows customers to donate at any check out station. The money will be distributed to the victims, in coordination with the church, the company said. “It is our hope that H-E-B’s donations, along with our loyal customers’ support, will help our neighbors in Sutherland Springs. The shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, left 26 people -- ranging in age from 18 months to 77 years old -- dead and 20 wounded, authorities said.