The Pastor Whose 14-Y-O Daughter Died in Texas Church Shooting: 'I Don't Understand, but I Know My God Does'
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| Annabele Pomeroy, the 14-year-old daughter of First Baptist pastor Frank Pomeroy |
The pastor of Sutherland Springs' First Baptist Church in Texas and his wife have spoken publicly following the mass shooting that left 26 people dead, including their 14-year-old daughter, saying only God has the answers for such a tragedy.
"We've had a long night with our children and grandbabies we have left," Pastor Frank Pomeroy, who has been absent on Sunday at the time the shooting took place, told reporters on Monday.
"I don't understand, but I know my God does," he later said when answering questions, urging folks to rely on Jesus Christ.
The father said that his daughter, Annabelle, was "one beautiful girl," and a "special child."
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| Texas church massacre victim Annabelle Pomeroy pictured with her father, Pastor of the church, Frank |
Pomeroy's wife, Sherri, said the family lost a lot more than Annabelle on Sunday.
"And one thing that gives me a sliver of encouragement is that Belle was surrounded yesterday by her family that she loved fiercely," she said.
The mother explained that the church was not comprised of "members or parishioners," but was a "very close family."
"We ate with each other, we laughed alongside one another, we cried together, and we worshipped together. Now nearly all of our church family is gone, our building may perhaps be beyond repair as well as few of us that are left behind lost tragically yesterday," she said.
"As senseless this kind of great loss was, our sweet Belle wouldn't have had the ability to cope with losing a whole lot family."
Respective authorities continue to piece together the details surrounding the shooting which was executed by 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley.
Authorities have at this point said that they don't really know the incident was racially inspired or it has been over religious belief and noted that Kelley relatively had a conflict with his mother-in-law.
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| Pastor Frank Pomeroy, with his wife Sherri, listens at a news conference outside the site of the shooting at his church in Sutherland Springs, Texas |
Scott Pomeroy, Annabelle's uncle, paid respect to her in a Facebook post following her death.
"Heaven truly received a real gorgeous angel today along with many others. I lost many family and friends today but that simply means Jesus needed them more. I know all that have taken their last breath of dirty air and took their first breath of heavenly air with new bodies with no pain and suffering," he wrote.
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| A Teddy bear lies under police tape at a makeshift memorial for those killed in the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland, Texas |
"My focus is now towards the many families which all have loved ones in all the different hospitals and to those grieving the loved ones that have been lost. God knows and is in control of all things and if something as evil as this should only revive us for a revival to be sure all we know and love should know and have a relationship with Jesus even more," Scott Pomeroy continued.
"After this outrageous week of numerous persons passing away it really should tell us life is only for a moment and we're dying every day and where you spend eternity is the most important thing. Not money, not jobs, not education, not possessions just the ones you love and your relationship with Jesus."
