By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) – A shooting at a church in east Texas has left one person dead and multiple other victims injured, the state's governor said Sunday.
The shooting took place Sunday morning at Starville Methodist Church in the city of Starrville. Security officials have taken a suspect into custody.
"Our hearts are with the victims and the families of those killed or injured in this terrible tragedy. I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who apprehended the suspect, and I ask Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for those affected by this horrific shooting," Abbott said in a statement.
"The State of Texas is working closely with first responders and local officials to ensure that justice is served and that the Starville community has the resources it needs during this time," he added.
The suspect was holed up inside the bathroom of the church after fleeing a manhunt when he was confronted by an armed pastor.
The suspect appears to have wrested the firearm from the pastor and shot him with it, police said.
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said one person was being treated for wounds sustained in a fall and another victim was being treated for multiple gunshots. The suspected shooter had a gunshot wound to his hand when he was apprehended in the pastor's vehicle by a sheriff's deputy, Smith said.
The suspect is facing a charge of capital murder.
