FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2017, file photo, a man walks out of the memorial for the victims of a shooting at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A judge will consolidate all federal lawsuits against the U.S. Air Force over the 2017 South Texas church shooting that killed more than two dozen worshippers. The gunman formerly was in the military. –
This follows a lawsuit that was filed in May, that alleged memberships were thrown out before a vote on the church building’s future was held.It’s been nearly seven years since 26 people were shot and killed at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs during a Sunday service. An email obtained Monday by KSAT sent to members by the church’s pastor announced the building would be closed but did not indicate a day when the demolition would take place.
The email also set aside times the sanctuary would be open for final visits with the final available time being Tuesday evening. The TRO will pause the planned demolition until the lawsuit is settled, but the church can appeal the TRO if it chooses to.Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.