Annabelle Renee Pomeroy, the 14-year-old daughter of First Baptist Church Pastor Frank Pomeroy, is confirmed to be among the dead in Sutherland Springs, Texas. She is the first victim to be named in the aftermath of what is tragically shaping up to be one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history.
“[She] was one very beautiful special child,” the pastor told ABC News.
The pastor said he was in Oklahoma at the time of the shooting and is on his way back to Sutherland Springs, which is a small community about 40 miles from San Antonio. Pomeroy said that all of the dead are “close friends.”
In a text message to the Associated Press, Annabelle’s mother, Sherri Pomeroy, echoed her husband’s sentiments, sharing that she lost her daughter “and many friends” in the Sunday shooting.
While an official count has not been released, Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt said “more than 20” people were killed after a gunman walked into the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs around 11:30 a.m. and opened fire. According to the New York Times, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) confirmed the death toll to be at least 25 and said a pregnant woman and children were among the deceased.
This is a developing news story. Faithwire will update as details become available HERE.