Thursday, April 25, 2024
Hood County Precinct 3 commissioner candidate Jack Wilson is being hailed as a hero for his role in taking down the man who fatally shot two members of the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement during a worship service Sunday morning.
The shooter died at the scene from a head shot reportedly fired by Wilson, who is head of the church’s security team.
Wilson was president of On Target Training Academy in Benbrook, which was destroyed by fire in 2016.
Sunday’s shooting, which took place during communion, was captured on video because the service was being live streamed on YouTube. Worshipers screamed and ducked for cover as deafening shots rang out.
According to KXTS-TV, the deceased victims were identified as deacon Anton “Tony” Wallace and Rich White. The New York Times reported that one of the victims, presumably White, was a member of the church’s security team.
One of the men was shot while serving communion.
Media reports stated that several other people armed with handguns approached the gunman after he began firing and that another parishioner shot the gunman at the same time as the 71-year-old Wilson.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Desarno told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the shooter was “relatively transient” but had roots in the area.
Wilson posted this message on his campaign Face-book page Sunday:
“I just want to thank all who have sent their prayers and comments on the events of today. The events at West Freeway Church of Christ put me in a position that I would hope no one would have to be in, but evil exists and I had to take out an active shooter in church.”
He continued, “I’m thankful to GOD that I have been blessed with the ability and desire to serve him in the role of head of security at the church. I am very sad in the loss of two dear friends and brothers in CHRIST, but evil does exist in this world and I and other members are not going to allow evil to succeed. Please pray for all the members and their families in this time. Thank you for your prayers and understanding.”
Wilson is among four candidates competing in the March 2020 primary for the commissioner seat.
kcruz@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 258
