its specially formulated to work with the body's sleep mechanism to promote natural sleep. try midnite® tonight. welcome back. i'm many people have been shot at a church in sutherland springs. commissioner told multiple people are dead and dozens are injured. the fbi and first responders are on the scene. the gunman we understand is dead after a brief chase. you talked to a number of people and getting a sense as to what may have unfolded roughly 11:30 central time. >> in the middle of first

baptist church service. it was told to me by a witness that she heard what she thought to be about 20 shots fired around 11:30 this morning. she said it sounded as if it was the work of a semi-automatic weapon. we have learned from local officials that a brief pursuit ensued as police chased the gunman across the county line. that pursuit ended with the gunman's death. it is unclear if police killed the man or if he took his own life. we are seeing federal, state and local assets on the ground there as many are injured. eight patients we hear are at university health hospital in san antonio. more are at connelly memorial medical center. we don't know the identity of the suspect here or more about what happened inside the walls of that first baptist church this morning. a very tight knit community. we are hearing from governor

greg abbott as he says our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act. our thanks to law enforcement for their response. more details from dps soon. and we could learn more details from investigators as we believe that video exists of what transpired this morning. first baptist church posts its services on its youtube channel week to week so its congregation view the sermon. you would think the camera would be rolling as it always does. you can only imagine if the video exists it will be critical to this investigation. joining me now on the phone nanet smith, an editor with the wilson county news, the paper coveri covering sutherland springs, texas. describe to me what you saw.

>> i wasn't one of the first on the scene but one of the few media outlets that was here in the initial aftermath. it is a chaotic scene. every agency possible from the county and nearby communities descended to bring aid and assist skpns make sense of the scene. we have unconfirmed reports of as many as two dozen dead and perhaps more than 30 that are injured. these include elderly, young families, young children around the fatalities from what we know. nothing has been confirmed at this point. this is very much still an active scene. and obviously, this is taking its toll on the people here. >> i know it has to be. the heart of the community, population just 643 people, very small intimate community. can you describe for me, is this

place where generally everybody knows one another? >> yes. yes, it is, very much so. very much so. everybody knows everybody. they all come out for the different communities. >> so for you responding to this, covering it as a reporter, but also someone who is part of the fabric of the community, this is very personal. how about for first responders who are responding to this tragedy knowing this is such a small close knit community presumably many of the victims are friends or family members of all of you. >> they are. they are. it's very personal to all of our communities. and it's been very difficult for the first responders on the scene. >> i imagine so. we understand that the gunman is

dead and we don't know whether it is self-inflicted or whether this gunman was taken down by police. there was a chase. what can you tell us about the chase that went into the neighboring county just miles away? >> very little other than that there was a chase and the shooter did not survive. it has not been made clear at this point the manner of that death. and we're waiting on official word here on the ground. >> and where are you in terms of proximity to the church right now? >> i am a block away from the church. i'm actually sitting outside of the local community center which has been turned into a family resource center. this is where the families of the victims are waiting for word. >> that is a tough place. what are you hearing from people as they are awaiting word whether their family members were in there or whether they

have been transported? describe what is being expressed by people there. >> shock. it's just complete shock. that's all i can say. complete misbelief. >> this has to be particularly difficult for you as a journalist. you cover the community there, but now you're approaching people that you know, loved ones, friends, people that you come into contact with on a regular basis and you are also a source of information for them at the same time trying to extend comfort. describe what that has been like for you. >> i really don't know how to put it into words. i'm here in an official capacity but i'm also here because this is where we live.

and these are people that i know and have known for years. and i offer what comfort i can in circumstances and sometimes it's not words. you just embrace and offer what comfort you can. >> have you been to first baptist church? >> yes. >> describe it for me. >> it's your quintessential small country church, white, painted frame building, wood pews.

just small town america where people go to worship and praise and gather and celebrate. it's a very vibrant church community. >> and my colleague here -- i apologize. go ahead. >> go ahead. >> my colleague here also discovered that that church is one that posts its services on youtube. is this something that people cu customarially would enjoy attending church by way of youtube? >> many people do. it's a popular way to reach the community members, sometimes the home bound or those that are away from home it is their way

of staying in touch. i am going to have to go. >> you have been very helpful. we are so sorry because this is your community. this is where you live, where you work, your friends and family. this is very personal for you. our prayers go out to you and the community there in sutherland springs, texas. thank you so much. >> the community is welcoming the prayers of everyone. that's what we need most right now. >> and there have been so many prayers extended from the president of the united states while he is overseas on his five asian nation tour. right now we have heard from texas senator ted cruz, texas governor greg abbott, as well. our jerry diamond is traveling with the president joining us now from tokyo. the president staying abreast of this tragedy. you are reminding us this taking

place just one month after the las vegas massacre and now this very small knit community is tragically touched by this violence taking place in the middle of church service today. >> reporter: and the president despite being thousands of miles away is obviously monitoring this situation, getting updates from his staff on the latest. we know that law enforcement and the fbi are on the scene. so those updates filtering up to the president while he is here in tokyo. this is what the president tweeted. may god be with the people of sutherland springs, texas. the fbi and law enforcement are on the scene. i am monitoring the situation from japan. the president just arrived here in tokyo less than 24 hours ago. this is, of course, where he was expected to focus on trade and the north korean threat. now this is obviously going to cast a much larger shadow over

the entirety of his trip. it is also in the united states likely to once again ignite the conversation about how do we address these mass shootings that seem to take place all too often in the united states. 35 days ago this shooting in las vegas. yet we have not seen any action, of course, from congress or from the president. so those questions likely to be posed once again. for now, at least, the president offering his thoughts and prayers. we are expected to see him on camera later today and we'll have to wait and see what he has to say about yet another tragic shooting in the united states, one that every president it seems in recent memory has to deal with in one way or another. >> horrible situation. i spoke with a county commissioner earlier who said based on information he received from an ems official that upwards of two dozen people dead and about two dozen injured. again, those numbers have not

been authenticated and verified from law enforcement directly to cnn. jeremy, thank you so much traveling with the president. on the phone right now with me a cnn law enforcement analyst and former atf executive. good both of you could be with me. let's talk about the intricacies of how this investigation moves forward. matthew, we know that atf is on the scene. you formally with your experience with atf, what will be their focus there at the church? >> well, they are going to be supporting incident command. i'm assuming fbi is leading the investigation. this is one complex crime scene with over two dozen deaths. the victims will have to remain into place. there are interviews that need to be accomplished. they need to gather around. i understand the service is

normally video taped. i'm sure they will test the video to see if they have depiction of the incident and an awful lot of work that has to be done over the course of the next 24 to 48 hours. >> who leads an investigation like this when you have federal, state, local law enforcement at a shooting taking place in a sanctuary? >> this would be a joint investigation at this particular point in time so they can figure out what the motive is. if this is a hate crime then the fbi will probably step in and take over. if not then you have the texas department of public safety or texas rangers will generally handle something like this. they assist local law enforcement agency there. a lot of times we have the overwhelming must just ming ma

departments is 50 or less. once they figure out motive everything will fall into place. we have a dead perpetrator and now it is a matter of putting pieces together. we no longer have a man hunt. now law enforcement can take their time and put together a solid case as to what the motive is, why the individual did what he did. >> thank you so much. we will take a short break for now and have much more on this tragedy at a church in sutherland springs, texas. want in on the secret to ageless skin.

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we continue to watch breaking news out of sutherland springs, texas, a tragedy. a person walks into the first baptist church and starts firing a weapon. and according to the wilson county sheriff more than 20 people are dead.

at least two dozen more according to another local official are injured, many of whom are transported to local hospitals. we understand from law enforcement on the ground there that the gunman is dead, still unclear whether that is by way of police after a police chase or if that is a self-inflicted mortal wound. it has shaken the community to the core. it is a very small community there. sutherland springs roughly 650 people live there. just about everybody knows everybody. joining me on the phone, sutherland springs resident. i understand you heard 20 gun shots. tell me more about what you heard and experienced there. >> well, i was just starting my shift at the store i work at and one of the cashiers was sweeping up outside. she heard the gun shots first

and said somebody is shooting out here and sounds like a lot. they were still shooting by the time i got to the door and outside. we didn't want to get hurt. it was very close and very loud. at first we thought maybe somebody was target shooting because we do that sometimes. this was semi-automatic fire. this was rapid fire. and then within the next few minutes we start seeing first responders coming in and ambulances and fire departments and mobile command station and things of that nature. this is a very small town. everybody knows everybody. this is just devastating. it is going to change the whole dynamic of this area. >> once you saw law enforcement that's when you realized all that gun fire was coming from that first baptist church just across the street from your

store? >> right. we were flabbergasted. there is just no reason for something like that to take place especially here where everybody is family. we all help each other out and all know each other. this is just devastating. it's dumfounding. we are all still kind of in shock and still awaiting news. they are not able to give us information at this point on people because they don't want to give misleading information. >> it is stunning and hurtful. how worried are you that people you know were in that church at the time? >> well, we are worried. we are definitely worried and we are saddened and shocked. we do know some of the people that have passed on that were killed. we were watching in shock and awe. family members being told that they lost their loved ones.

it's all pretty -- it's indescribable really the shock and everything that is going on right now. it's just terrible. >> it is terrible. you just expressed how this will just change everything for this town. describe for me this town of sutherland springs, what it has meant to you to live there and raise families and have friends and have a business there. >> that's just it. we moved out here and realized that we were in probably the best place in texas because everybody knows everybody. we help each other out. you need something all you have to do is call and you will have three or four people at your door ready to help. to have something like this happen is just unconscionable.

>> are you hearing anything about who would have done something like this? >> i'm sorry, could you repeat that? >> are you hearing anything about who could have done something like this? whether people recognized the gunman, saw any portion of the police chase? >> we didn't see the police chase itself, but we have been hearing rumors but i don't want to say anything at this point because i don't want to get into the investigation or what is taking place but we have an idea of who did this and we don't know why. it's a small town. it is going around the rumor mill pretty quick. >> rumors and unconfirmed. of that information was it a familiar name person to you based on the rumors you heard?

>> no. i knew family members but not this person personally. >> as you look out the window can you describe for me what you are seeing right now? >> i'm sorry, i couldn't hear you. >> as you look out the window of your shop right now at the church, what are you seeing? can you describe for me? >> what i'm seeing right now is we have 100 or so people at the community building at sutherland springs. we have family members, friends and neighbors, we have first responders, we have news media pulled back to another location for the moment. right now we are just trying to get the red cross to assist the families of victims. >> we had nanet with the local

newspaper with us earlier. she was describing the community center as one where family members, friends are to await notice on their loved ones, the status of anyone they know in that church. have you -- can you describe what you have been seeing in them? >> just shock and dismay and mourning and lots of people praying together and praying for their loved ones and their neighbors and the family members that have lost loved ones and neighbors. this is what we do. when something happens to one of us we come together as a community and this is just showing how strong we are but at the same time we are just shocked. there is no reason for this. >> we are so sorry for your

community's loss. what this has done for you as an individual, your friends, your neighbors, how this has shattered an entire community and that church community of first baptist church. thank you so much for your candor, for sharing your thoughts, your observations there and our prayers go out to you and everyone else there. we'll have much more right after this. jimmy's gotten used to his whole room smelling like sweaty odors.

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welcome back.

this breaking news, tragedy in south texas in sutherland springs, texas at the first baptist church. eyewitnesss say a gunman walked into the church 30 minutes into the scheduled service there and simply unloaded. the wilson county sheriff says at least 20 people are dead and at least two dozen others are injured. we understand the gunman was pursued during a police chase. that gunman is dead, still unclear whether that was the result of a self-inflicted wound or whether police took that individual down. this has rocked a very small community of not even 700. it's a small tight knit town where just about everybody knows one another. a short time ago i spoke on the phone with dana fletcher, a small business owner there in sutherland springs. >> and my husband and i are both terribly shaken up.

people in church on sunday and very small rural community. it's not what you expect. >> we understand that the scene is still active in terms of a crime scene and investigators are there from federal, state and local jurisdictions. >> we keep hearing from the news the number keeps increasing as far as how many are injured and possibly deceased. it is such a small church. it's just a little church in a very small community. i don't know why it would be targeted. >> also heartbreaking. dana fletcher, thank you so much for your time and so many prayers going out to everyone there in the sutherland springs, texas community. >> it is an active crime scene right now at the first baptist church there in sutherland springs. you said it may be hours before

this scene is cleared. why is this so pain staking? >> they have to identify all the deceased. they have to recover physical evidence both inside the church and outside the church. they will be examining video tape and conducting witness interviews of people who may have been injured or not at the hospital or in the area. there is a lot of work that needs to be done yet. >> video tape. we understand from our correspondent's reporting that this is a church that would post on youtube its services. so presumably there are cameras. we don't know about today's service. give me an idea about how investigators would handle any material past or from today. >> many churches live stream services every sunday. they will obviously take control of any video tape that they can get today. as you mentioned we need to determine how the suspect chose

this church to perpetrate this horrendous act. that may involve going back and looking at video tapes from prior sundays or services or days. there is a lot of work that needs to be done. fortunately for the community and for everyone the gunman is dead. >> and in terms of a relationship whether this gunman has been in that church before, if that individual has been recorded in any capacity, if there has been any relationship established perhaps between that gunman and this church. >> the woman told you earlier in a community of 600 people the likelihood is that most people in that area know each other. someone will know who the gunman is unless he is an outliar and the motive will be key. >> terrible. thank you so much. appreciate it. we'll be right back. tempur-pedic's superior

pressure relieving comfort, and our 90-day, complete satisfaction trial, will make tossing and turning a thing of the past. plus, during our veteran's day savings event, save up to $500 on select adjustable mattress sets. find your exclusive retailer at tempurpedic.com. we continue to follow breaking news out of sutherland springs, texas. the wilson county sheriff says 20, at least 20 are dead as a result of a gunman walking into the first baptist church just 30 minutes into the scheduled service. sunday's service today and unloading. two dozen injured. the gunman is dead, was part of

a police chase and still unclear whether that was a self-inflicted mortal wound or taken down by the police. this is a tragic, horrible event for this very small community. >> and an active crime scene still inside first baptist church as we see federal, state and local authorities responding to that scene. as was told to me by a witness just across the street it was about 30 minutes into the 11:00 a.m. service this morning at first baptist church that she heard around 20 shots being fired by what she thought to be a semi-automatic weapon. police responded to the scene. there was a pursuit that ended with the gunman's death. it is unsure if he took his own life. at least 20 dead inside first baptist church as authorities continue to investigate that scene. a complex scene that will just

take time to sort through. family members, concerned citizens are gathering at the community building just down the street stto ask questions and learn of the fate. community in mourning, a community shaken, a community that will be forever changed as a result of this. as we learned more about first baptist church we came to understand that they post each of their church services on a youtube channel so you would have to think that the video provided from previous service as well as a video that may exist from today's service would be critical. >> what a heartbreaking scene being described by one of the local reporters there. family members awaiting word. we know that a number of people were transported with injuries to nearby hospitals. that is kind of a central point of finding out whether your loved one remains in that church or whether they have been

transported. >> this is a small town of about 600 or 0700 people, a town described where everyone knows everyone. you can only imagine what people are processing there at this time. as we have been told by locals there it is hard for them to get information from authorities. authorities not wanting to share misinformation but having to share the news with families that a loved one was killed inside first baptist church. we are learning as patients and being transported by air and ambulance to local hospitals we know of eight patients being treated in university health hospital in san antonio and more being treated in connelly memorial medical center. with san antonio so close it is nice to think resources available to an otherwise very small and rural town about 30 miles east of san antonio. >> very quickly, so many jurisdictions descending on that area to try to help get to the bottom of what is taking place,

responding to the crime scene and then this police pursuit of the gunman still unclear the identity of the gunman, the circumstances of the death of the gunman, but we do know that at least one gunman is being blamed for this. >> one single gunman who was pursued by police in what i was told to be a quick pursuit. it went across county lines. it was the sheriff's department who informed us of the gunman's death. as it explained to me the proximity is eight to ten miles fraul first baptist church. of course, officials aware of who that person is and that investigation continues. of course, motive being the key question for investigators to uncover. >> thank you so much. let's bring in law enforcement analyst and retired fbi supervisor special agent.

we understand fbi, atf, u.s. marshals, local authorities, state authorities all there. your experience with the fbi, what portion of the investigation will fbi be tackling here as it pertains to the first baptist church church shooting. >> it begins as a murder investigation. so as some of your earlier law enforcement contributors have pointed out, it's in the purview of the state and local officials. obviously, the fbi and the bureau of alcohol, tobacco and firearm are on scene. once they can determine a type of motive it can possibly be taken over at that point in time. if it is determined to be a hate crime or potentially a terrorist act we know those things have very specific definitions before there can be the federal government moving in and saying we are going to take control of it. at this juncture it is going to be assistance. we know this is a very small place. having been out in las vegas during the shooting out there on october 1 and being in lower

manhattan last tuesday when the terrorist attack happened down there and now this, it's absolutely chilling to think about it. i was doing some research, this is a small town in texas of about 683 people making up their population. if the numbers hold to be 20 and we know those numbers of casualty for deaths are probably going to tick up, we are talking about three percent or four percent of the population of this town. it's absolutely sobering. >> it is extraordinary. you mentioned the las vegas mass shooting that just a month ago. i talked to a number of people from that community here of sutherland springs say this has changed everything. this was one of the best texas communities from one eyewitness who said she could find in the state of texas and now everything will be different.

we have heard from the president of the united states while he is traveling abroad. we have seen tweets coming from texas senator ted cruz, the texas governor greg abbott, as well. all sending out prayers. now we have a tweet from the mayor of las vegas saying with our greatest sorrow and compassion las vegas stands with you and with our hearts are broken and ready to help in any way we can. so james this really is a concerted effort by law enforcement but this is a tragedy that is touching all corners of this nation at this time. >> sure. to your point, there are a lot of small enclaves in america. america is a wonderful country. there are a lot of small towns and villages that are the places where time forgot. people leave doors open and don't lock car doors at night. there is a sense of community.

after something like this it is chilling because we typically think of this happening in major metropolitan areas and then it happens in a small town. it goes to show this type of reach can happen absolutely anywhere, fred. >> fragicaltragically. we'll be right back. rise higher than ever. as the world leader in unmanned aerial systems, we're attracting the world's best talent to central new york. and turning the airport into a first-class transportation hub. all while growing urban areas into vibrant places to live and work. across new york state, we're building the new new york. to grow your business with us in new york state, visit esd.ny.gov. to grow your business with us in new york state, jimmy's gotten used to his whole yup, he's gone noseblind. odors. he thinks it smells fine, but his mom smells this...

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welcome back. a horrific mass shooting taking place at the first baptist church in sutherland springs, texas. the first press conference to get underway.

a short time ago i spoke with nanet smith the editor of the wilson county news. she was on the scene in the aftermath of the shooting. i asked her to describe everything she had seen. >> it's a chaotic scene. everything agency possible from the county and nearby communities descended to actually bring their aid and assistance and make sense of the scene. we have unconfirmed reports of as many as two dozen dead, perhaps more than 30 injured. these include elderly, young families, young children among the fatalities from what we know. nothing has been confirmed at this point. this is very much still an active scene and obviously this is the heart of the community and it is taking its toll on the people here. >> i know it has to be. the heart of the community,

population just 643 people, a very small intimate community. can you describe for me is this place where generally everybody knows one another? >> yes. yes, it is, very much so. very much so. everybody knows everybody. they all come out for the different community events. >> so for you responding to this, covering it as a reporter but also someone who is part of the fabric of the community, this is very personal. how about for first spunders who are responding to this tragedy knowing this is such a small close knit community presumably many of the victims are friends or family members of all of you. >> they are. it's very personal to all our communities and it's been very

difficult for the first responders on the scene. >> i imagine so. we understand that the gunman is dead and we don't know whether it is self-inflicted or whether the gunman was taken down by the police. what can you tell us about the chase that went on miles away? >> very little other than that there was a chase and that the shooter did not survive. it has not been made clear at this point the manner of that death. we're waiting on official word here on the ground. >> and where are you in terms of proximity to the church right now? >> i'm a block away from the church. i'm sitting outside the local community center which has been turned into a family resource center. this is where the families of the victims are waiting for

word. >> so what are you hearing from people as they are awaiting word whether their family members were in there, whether they had been transported? describe for me what is being expressed by people there. >> shock. it's just complete shock. that's all i can say. just complete misbelief. >> this has to be particularly difficult for you as a journalist, you cover the community there but now you're approaching people that you know, loved ones, friends, people that you come into contact with on a regular basis. and you are also a source of information for them at the same time you are also trying to extend comfort. describe for me what that has been like for you. >> i really don't know how to

put it into words. i'm here in an official capacity but i'm also here because this is where we live and these are people that i know and have known for years. i offer what prayers and comfort i can in circumstances. sometimes it's not words. you just embrace and offer what comfort you can. how can you comfort in these circumstances? >> our hearts go out to you and everyone there in sutherland springs, texas. after a tragic day of a shooting taking place in the first baptist church today. at least 20 dead, maybe two dozen injured. the gunman is dead. still unclear whether that was

the result of a self-inflicted wound or taken down by police following a police chase. you are looking at live pictures right now. the first press conference to get underway as it pertains to all details of what is now onan ongoing investigation. we will continue to follow this story throughout the evening. newsroom continues after this. olay regenerist shatters the competition. hydrating skin better than prestige creams costing over $100, $200, and even $400. for skin that looks younger than it should. fact check this ad in good housekeeping. olay regenerist. ageless.

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this is cnn breaking news. you are live in the cnn newsroom. we begin with major breaking news. more than 20 people are dead, dozens are injured after a gunman opened fire inside a small texas church. this all took place around 11:30 this morning local time when a witness reported hearing about 20 shots fired in the middle of

sunday service at the first baptist church in sutherland springs, texas. that's east of san antonio. we are told the gunman died after a brief chase. we don't know if he was killed by police or if he took his own life. we don't know if he was a member of the community. we don't know why he might have done this. what we do know for sure is a small texas town has witnessed an unspeakable tragedy that left countless families without a loved one. president trump offered his support from abroad tweeting may god be with people of sutherland springs, texas. fbi and law enforcement are on the scene. i am monitoring the situation from japan. we expect texas officials to hold a press conference. we will bring that to you as soon as it happens. the president expected to make remarks sometime this evening. i want to bring in our law enforcement voices to help us walk through exactly what investigators may be doing at this moment. fbi agents