Victims of the Texas church shooting
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (FOX 26) - We are learning about some of the victims of the Texas church shooting that left 26 people dead and 20 wounded. Those killed in the shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs ranged from 18 months to 77 years old.
Annabelle Pomeroy, 14, is the daughter of the church's pastor and his wife. Her mother spoke to reporters Monday saying, "We don't want to overshadow the other lives lost yesterday. We lost more than Belle yesterday. And one thing that gives me a sliver of encouragement is that Belle was surrounded yesterday by her church family that she loved fiercely and vice versa."
Some of the victims were members of a family who saw three generations lose their lives within minutes. Joe and Claryce Holcombe lost children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all at once. Their son, Bryan Holcombe, 60, and his wife, Karla Holcombe, 58, were killed. Bryan was associate pastor for the church and walking to preach at the pulpit when he was shot. The couple was known to volunteer at prisons and teach Sunday School.
The Holcombe family also lost Crystal Holcombe, who was eight months pregnant. Three of her five young children were also killed. Their ages, 8, 11, and 13.
Joann Ward, a 30-year-old mother of four—a true hero. She reportedly died shielding her children. Her daughters, 7-year-old Emily Garza and 5-year-old Brooke Ward, were also killed in the attack. Rihanna Ward, 9, said that that her mother "pushed her down when she saw the shooter open fire," telling her to hide. 5-year-old Ryland Ward, was shot and is now in the hospital. "My heart just aches for everybody, you know, not just my family and Ryland and everybody that I'm related to, but everybody else that's involved. All the other victims, all their families," Ryland's cousin Kaylie Braja said.
Sixteen-year-old Haley Krueger had dreams of becoming a NICU nurse and was described as a "beautiful, vibrant teenager” who loved babies. Haley's brother writing a message to his sister on Facebook "RIP little sister we love you with all my heart and I will miss you so much."
An Air Force couple who retired to La Vernia, Texas, was trying out churches when they were slain in Sunday's shooting in Sutherland Springs. Robert Marshall tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that his son Scott and daughter-in-law Karen were first-time visitors to the First Baptist Church. Karen Marshall had recently returned to Texas after finishing an assignment at Maryland's Andrews Air Force Base. Scott Marshall was retired from the Air Force and had been working as a civilian contractor and mechanic at Lackland Air Force Base, about 35 miles west of La Vernia. The couple met while they were in the service together more than 30 years ago.
Not even family was safe from David Kelly's wrath. The gunman also killed his 71-year-old grandmother-in-law. It's believed a family dispute could have led to Kelly’s deadly breakdown.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.