Texas Gov. Greg Abbott responded to the Texas church shooting late Sunday following the tragedy that killed more than 25 people ages 5 to 72 and injured more than 20 others at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Officials identified the gunman as Devin Patrick Kelley, a white man in his 20s. Kelley began shooting outside the church, then went inside where 50 parishioners were worshiping, officials said. He killed at least 26 people, including the pastor’s 14-year-old daughter.
“As a state, we are dealing with the largest mass shooting in our state’s history,” Abbott said at a press conference Sunday. “There are so many families that have lost family members. The tragedy is worsened that it happened in a church, a place of worship. We mourn their loss, but we support their family members.”
Abbott appeared on camera in a wheelchair, sparking high search interest online about his disability and condition.
Here's why Abbott uses a wheelchair:
In 1984, when he was 26 years old, Abbott became partially paralyzed after an oak tree, which had become weak after a storm, fell on him during his run.
According to the Dallas Morning News, doctors found bone fragments in his broken spine, as well as fractured ribs and damaged kidneys.
Abbott was forced to lie on his back for a month before beginning rehabilitation. He has been using a wheelchair ever since.
Credit: Alex Wong
Credit: Alex Wong
At the time of his freak accident, Abbott was a recent graduate of Vanderbilt Law School and was studying for the bar exam, which he passed a year after the injury.
He has said that the accident literally gave him a spine of steel.
"Some politicians talk about having a steel spine. I actually have one. I will use my steel spine to fight for Texas' values every single day," Abbott said in 2013 when he announced his candidacy for governor, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
About four years ago, Abbott released the terms of a settlement with the homeowner and tree care company involved in the accident. He won a settlement agreement worth approximately $9 million.
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