Jack Wilson has been identified as the heroic security guard who killed the shooter that attacked West Freeway Church of Christ during one of its Sunday morning services.
Wilson, who is running to be county commissioner in Hood County, shared on Facebook that while he is sad he lost "two dear friends and brothers in CHRIST," he thanks God for being able to protect the congregation because evil does exist in the world.
"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 exist and I had to take out an active shooter in church," Wilson wrote.
"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," he added. "Please pray for all the members and their families in this time. Thank you for your prayers and understanding."
Wilson then revealed he used a SIG P229, chambered in .357 SIG, to take down the shooter with a single shot. Wilson is also a former firearms instructor and reserve sheriff's deputy.
Leaked footage from the Fort Worth church shooting: seven of the congregation members were armed including one elderly lady. #Texas pic.twitter.com/86ZYurmLuv
— Ken Webster jr?????? (@KenWebsterJrSho) December 30, 2019
During a press conference Sunday evening, West Freeway Church of Christ Senior Minister Britt Farmer said he was thankful the state of Texas allows people to carry inside churches. In addition to Wilson, video from inside the church showed at least five members of the congregation rushed to the scene with their firearms.
"We lost two great men today. But it could have been a lot worse and I’m thankful that our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves," Farmer said. "We have a congregation here with open hearted people. We help people. We’re here to help people and to have something like this happen destroys my heart. And when I say destroys, it destroys it because there is evil in this world. Today is one sermon I’ll never preach. It will go away. It’s called leaving a legacy. And two men today left a legacy. And the congregation is going to build on that legacy."