Media tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Media tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Media tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Media tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Roses on chairs with the names of those killed during the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which has been transformed into a memorial to honor those who died, Nov. 12, 2017. After a gunman killed 26 at the Baptist church Nov. 5, parishioners gathered at a nearby baseball field to worship with their pastor, whose daughter was among the dead.
lessRoses on chairs with the names of those killed during the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which has been transformed into a memorial to honor those who died, Nov. 12, 2017. After
... moreSutherland Springs resident Helen Biesenbach visits the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Sutherland Springs resident Helen Biesenbach visits the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Robert and Lisa Kumz visit a memorial at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community last week, killing more than two dozen. The sanctuary has been converted to a memorial to honor the victims.
lessRobert and Lisa Kumz visit a memorial at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community
... moreRobert and Lisa Kumz visit a memorial at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community last week, killing more than two dozen. The sanctuary has been converted to a memorial to honor the victims.
lessRobert and Lisa Kumz visit a memorial at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community
... moreRoses on chairs with the names of those killed during the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which has been transformed into a memorial to honor those who died, Nov. 12, 2017. After a gunman killed 26 at the Baptist church Nov. 5, parishioners gathered at a nearby baseball field to worship with their pastor, whose daughter was among the dead.
lessRoses on chairs with the names of those killed during the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which has been transformed into a memorial to honor those who died, Nov. 12, 2017. After
... moreMourners visits the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Mourners visits the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
A view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
A view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Sutherland Springs Historical Museum chairperson Tambria Read photographs the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
lessSutherland Springs Historical Museum chairperson Tambria Read photographs the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday
... moreVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs are placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died. Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed the 26 people and wounded 20 others when he opened fire during Sunday service at the church on November 5th.
lessVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been
... moreVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs are placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died. Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed the 26 people and wounded 20 others when he opened fire during Sunday service at the church on November 5th.
lessVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been
... moreVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs are placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died. Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed the 26 people and wounded 20 others when he opened fire during Sunday service at the church on November 5th.
lessVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been
... moreVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs are placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died. Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed the 26 people and wounded 20 others when he opened fire during Sunday service at the church on November 5th.
lessVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been
... moreA man walks out of the memorial for the victims of the shooting at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church includes 26 white chairs, each painted with a cross and and rose, placed in the sanctuary Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community last week, killing more than two dozen.
lessA man walks out of the memorial for the victims of the shooting at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church includes 26 white chairs, each painted with a cross and and rose, placed in the sanctuary Sunday, Nov.
... moreA view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
A view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
A view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
A view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Mourners view a memorial in the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community last week, killing more than two dozen. The sanctuary has been converted to a memorial to honor the victims.
lessMourners view a memorial in the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community last week,
... moreVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs are placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died. Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed the 26 people and wounded 20 others when he opened fire during Sunday service at the church Nov. 5.
lessVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been
... moreA view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
A view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs is turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs are placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died. The memorial will be open to the public. Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed the 26 people and wounded 20 others when he opened fire during Sunday service at the church Nov. 5.
lessThe First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs is turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white
... moreRobert and Lisa Kumz visit a memorial at the Sutherland Springs Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community last week, killing more than two dozen. The sanctuary has been converted to a memorial to honor the victims.
lessRobert and Lisa Kumz visit a memorial at the Sutherland Springs Baptist Church, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community last
... moreA view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
A view of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Roses on chairs with the names of those killed during the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which has been transformed into a memorial to honor those who died, Nov. 12, 2017. After a gunman killed 26 at the Baptist church Nov. 5, parishioners gathered at a nearby baseball field to worship with their pastor, whose daughter was among the dead.
lessRoses on chairs with the names of those killed during the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which has been transformed into a memorial to honor those who died, Nov. 12, 2017. After
... moreMourners visits the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Mourners visits the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Memorial Sunday Nov. 12, 2017. Twenty-six people were killed at the church last Sunday during a shooting.
Visitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been painted white with 26 white chairs placed around the room. On each chair is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. The chairs are placed throughout the room at the location where the victim died. Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed the 26 people and wounded 20 others when he opened fire during Sunday service at the church Nov. 5.
lessVisitors tour the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after it was turned into a memorial to honor those who died on November 12, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The inside of the church has been
... moreA family that lost three members in the Sutherland Springs massacre has filed a lawsuit against the store where the shooter purchased weapons, according to documents obtained by mySA.com.
The Ward and Lookingbill family is seeking $25 million in damages after they say Academy Sports & Outdoors failed to follow the law when selling an assault rifle to Devin Patrick Kelley, who killed 26 people on Nov. 5 in the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
In 2016, Kelley purchased a Ruger AR-566 rifle at an Academy store in San Antonio, and later used it to gun down half a church congregation.
Joann Ward and her daughters Emily Garcia and Brooke Ward were killed Nov. 5. Her 5-year-old stepson Ryland Ward was shot five times and remains in a San Antonio hospital. The suit states his arm was almost amputated, among other extensive injuries.
The Lookingbills, Joann's parents, and her husband, Chris, claim Academy should not have sold the rifle to Kelley because the shooter listed his Colorado Springs address on a firearm record form.
Local Channel
- Friesenhahn Cave Exploration premiummysa
- Hangin’ With Los Henrys Trailer mysa
- Want to Adopt a Retired Military Dog? Here’s How SLivingTime
- Multiple victims reported in North Side shooting mysa
- Timelapse shows $142M Frost Office Tower construction mysa
- Fire rips through two-story home on West Side Videolicious
- Fire rips through two story home Videolicious
- Police: man was accomplice in fatal robbery attempt Videolicious
- Massive 15-car pileup on Loop 410 caused by icy conditions Videolicious
- The Express-News Walking Dead Podcast - 8.7 Time for After Videolicious
RELATED: Another Sutherland Springs family files civil claim against Air Force
The suit claims Kelley's firearm purchase should have been transferred to his Colorado residence. Instead, the suit says, Kelley picked the weapon up in Texas.
"The Ruger should have never been placed in Kelley's hands in Texas," reads the lawsuit.
After the shooting, Academy Sports & Outdoors confirmed Kelley purchased weapons there and said they performed the required background check.
Though Kelley's 2012 conviction for spousal and child abuse should have prevented Kelley from purchasing a gun, the U.S. Air Force said it failed to report the conviction to the FBI database.
Multiple victim families have sued the Air Force for their failure to report.
The Ward and Lookingbill families claim Academy was negligent and failed to protect the safety of the public, conduct a proper background check or follow proper gun-selling procedures.
The families are working with Houston-based Webster Law Firm.
Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @kbrad5
