The man who prevented the Dec. 29 Texas church shooting incident from turning into a massacre by killing the gunman is to receive a medal of honor from Governor Greg Abbott.
“I don’t feel I’m a hero. I was doing what I needed to do to protect the people of the congregation,” Jack Wilson, head of the volunteer security team at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, told ABC13.
“The only clear shot I had was his head because I still had people in the pews that were not all the way down as low as they could,” Wilson said.
The incident happened just after the service started on Dec. 29. Wilson and 67-year-old Richard White, another member of the church security squad, spotted the gunman beforehand because he was acting strangely and dressed in a hat, long coat, wig, and an obviously fake beard.
The man, who was identified as 43-year-old Keith Thomas Kinnunen, was not unknown to some churchgoers because he had enjoyed free meals provided by the church in the past. White sat down behind Kinnunen to keep an eye on him.
But soon after the service started, Kinnunen stood up and wielded a shotgun that he’d concealed under his coat. White reportedly pulled a gun on him but was shot first. Then Kinnunen turned to the deacon, 64-year-old Tony Wallace, and shot him too.
At least six congregants pulled their guns out, while others ducked for cover between the pews. Wilson had one clear shot at him and pulled the trigger. The whole event was over in less than 6 seconds.
“I don’t feel like I killed a human. I killed an evil. That’s how I’m coping with the situation,” Wilson, who is a certified gun instructor and operates a shooting range in his back yard, told DFW.
After the news broke, many gun rights proponents hailed Wilson’s actions, saying it proved the Second Amendment works.
President Donald Trump also expressed his support on Twitter, saying “lived were saved by these heroes.”
Our prayers are with the families of the victims and the congregation of yesterday’s church attack. It was over in 6 seconds thanks to the brave parishioners who acted to protect 242 fellow worshippers. Lives were saved by these heroes, and Texas laws allowing them to carry arms!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019
On Jan. 13, Wilson will be bestowed with the highest honor a civilian can receive from a state governor, the Medal of Courage, which will be presented by Governor Greg Abbott in Austin.
