"The devil had a hold of him," said Fred. My family will suffer because of his coward actions. "I believe in miracles. Out of respect for their grief, Danielle didn't attend their funerals. He grabbed his rifle and two handguns, donned military-style tactical gear and body armor, then left. So, so many people,'" Danielle recalled. She never heard any arguments from his trailer. After the shooting in November, officials said there had been a "domestic situation" between the shooter and his mother-in-law before the massacre in which the suspect had sent the woman threatening texts. Local man who lives near First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs tells how his neighbor shot Devin Kelley. What we know about Devin Kelley, the Texas shooting suspect The New York Times,November 6, 2017, 2:54 p.m. The suspect in the shooting at a Texas church on Sunday was identified as Devin Patrick Kelley. They were married two months later. In a series of interviews with the San Antonio Express-News, Danielle Kelley, 23, described for the first time publiclyher life with Devin and the events leading to the Sutherland Springs church massacre. Signs on a cattle gate at the entrance read no trespassing and beware of dog.. Staff Writers Sig Christenson, Sylvia Foster-Frau and Guillermo Contreras contributed to this report. When she persuaded him to attend church services, including at First Baptist, he would laugh during sermons. He'd wink at her flirtatiously. Among the victimswas 14-year-old daughter of churchspastor Frank Pomeroy; the burden in Mr. Shields heart is heavy for all the people killed in the massacre, so many of them were close to her; Michelle Shields is one of Sherri Pomeroys best friends. Johnny Langendorff, who chased the church gunman, waits to be picked up from the scene where Devin Kelley was found dead in Guadalupe County, Texas, on Sunday. To be completely honest, Im really not surprised this happened, and I dont think anyone who knew him is very surprised either.. "Sometimes people can get out of that depression, and other times it takes the best of them. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Michelle Fields, Kelleys mother-in-law, has a P.O. Every disagreement, every annoyance, became a fight. Their daughter Annabelle, 14, was among the 26 people killed. He was sentenced to 12 months confinement and received a bad conduct discharge in 2014, Reuters reported, citing chief of Air Force media operations Ann Stefanek. "How could you leave me with two kids to raise?" Danielle saw her mother less and less. Members of the FBI investigate the shooting scene. The male involved is identified only as Devin in the report, which says responding deputies were told that it was a misunderstanding. Danielle is the daughter of Michelle and Ben Shields, and all three of them reportedly had ties with the Texas church where Kelley went on a shooting rampage. She could not be reached for comment. Devin was homeschooled before attending New Braunfels High School, where he graduated in 2009. An angry person and anti-socialhe was an awful person. Guest Chuck Jackson said they received a surly reception from Kelley, who checked them in upon their arrival late on Oct. 28. He said hello a few times in passing but was never friendly and stayed only a few months, she said. Read. (Lisa Krantz | San Antonio Express-News). We dont know if it was a self inflicted gunshot wound or if he was shot by our local resident who engaged him with gunfire, authorities said. Outside the Kelley familys home, police cars were parked in front of a cattle gate. I will tell you that Michelle told me last Tuesday (Oct. 31) they were so excited because he voluntarily took the grandchildren his children to the church for the fall festival, said Tambria Read, chair of the Sutherland Springs Historical Museum and a teacher at Floresville High School. Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA. And I felt alone. They had no friends. Long-lost ship found at the bottom of Lake Huron, confirming story of tragic collision, TikTok to set default daily time limit of 60 minutes for minors. Others say they sensed trouble from the get-go in Kelley, 26, who had a history of behavioral problems dating to at least middle school. Mother of Devin Patrick Kelley's wife, Danielle Lee Shields may have been targeted in the Sutherland Springs mass shooting. He was the father of at least two, a son and a daughter. Six months before the massacre, while living in Sutherland Springs, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio, Devin grew more depressed, his temper grew shorter, and he grew less tolerant, she said. To be completely honest, Im really not surprised this happened, and I dont think anyone who knew him is very surprised either.. Why are we still having these debates? People talk about God and I just can't stand it," she said. "It was like he snapped out of it," Kathleen said. Or little factors that say 'You're not the same person,'" she said. She said he went with her everywhere. He was a family person. Danielle still retains Devin's last name. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. He was 17. She was 13. Or Lou, my grandmother, smiling and holding the babies, saying 'Oh come on, sit over here, I saved you a spot.'". When they did, he said, they were misdirected by Kelley, who patrolled the resort in a small SUV. Before attacking the church on Sunday, Kelley had sent threatening text messages to his mother-in-law, who sometimes attended the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, officials said. Neither had a stable path through adolescence. April 4, 2014: Devin Kelley, who was 23 years old at this point, married 19-year-old Danielle Shields in Comal County, Texas. That if he found out he'd always say he's sorry the next minute, you know, so she was like 'Oh, OK, if he found out I said something he's going to get more upset so we're just going to keep it calm because he apologized," Michelle said. I suggest you don't test my resolve.". He later frantically phoned Danielle, who put the call on speakerphone for his parents, who had untied her. "He was really different, and off," she said. . Furthermore, Michelle Shields formerly knownas Michelle Brassfield was, as a matter of fact, born Michelle Lorene White on September 5, 1963; studied atJames Madison High School in San Antonio. "But you would be surprised, when everything's gone, how much I miss it.". People move out here for their privacy, he said. Click here to read more about Danielle. CBS News reports he was given a dishonorable discharge and court martialed in 2014. There was just no indication to me.. Before a 26-year-old gunman entered a rural Texas church with a ballistic vest and a military-style rifle, killing at least 26 people Sunday, he was convicted of assaulting his wife and breaking his infant stepsons skull. Tired of the feelings," she said. The Jacksons, watching media reports on the shooting back in Michigan, wondered if the agitated guard theyd met at the Summit was the bearded gunman. Devin Kelley was identified as the man responsible for a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas Sunday that killed 26 people. Danielle Lee Shields. Public records show that Kelley lived at Holloman Air Force Base New Mexico. April 10, 2014: Kelley's bad conduct order from the Air Force was put into effect, ending his rights to appeal. Facebook We just talked and hung out and then we got really close. But even in that dark context, the viciousness Kelley unleashed Sunday at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs remains difficult to comprehend, much less accept, for those across South Texas and far beyond. . And then they got his next call. He would never have hurt anybody. We didnt know him.. According her Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, Danielle Kelley (nee. He had a pit bull puppy that he kept tied up in the sun all day outside of his RV, she said. Exclusive: Guilt and grief overwhelm the mother-in-law of the Six months later, Sutherland Springs residents count their blessings, Sutherland Springs survivor cheers on the man who saved his life, Sutherland Springs receives millions in donations to massacre relief fund, New Sutherland Springs memorial gallery hurts and heals, Stephen Willeford, a neighbor who had heard the gunfire and ran out barefoot with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News. They pleaded with him to stop. After killing at least 26 people in the church, Kelley was found dead in his car. #DanielleLeeShields #DevinKelley #SutherlandSprings #MichelleShields. But after years of watching her daughter plead for help, only to defend Devin when she tried to intervene, Michelle said she can't be sure Danielle's apparent change of heart is genuine. In 2012, Devin was court-martialed for fracturing his stepson's skull and assaulting his then-wife, a conviction that led to his bad conduct discharge from the Air Force. After killing at least 26 people in the church, Kelley was found dead in his car. Powered by. "I was like 'Oh man, this guy's cute. I didn't want to have the label of my spouse being a mass murderer," she said. Michelle Shields, Danielle's mother, said in an interview earlier this year that Devin was . Read more of her stories here. Danielle Shields-Kelley was the wife of Texas mass shooter Devin Kelley, who opened fire at First Baptist Church killing 26 people and injuring several more. He harassed me anytime I was in school, she said. Its unclear where Devin Kelley attended elementary school, but New Braunfels Independent School District records show that he enrolled in 2002 in Oak Run 6th Grade Center, then attended New Braunfels Middle School. And Michael will have a fit if someone says they'll be right back, because those were his father's last words. His short temper got shorter. Reports: Gunman in Texas Church Shooting Identified. It just means that you need a little extra love in life. Sometimes Danielle would tell Michelle about the mental and physical abuse he inflicted, Michelle said. "Devin was sick. Before joining the Summits staff in September, Kelley worked as an unarmed security guard at Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. The 26-year-old man officials have identified as the gunman in a mass shooting at a. "Nobody truly knows somebody," she said. Danielle did as he asked. display: none; He was charged with two counts of assault, one aggravated. In seven minutes, he killed 26 people and wounded 20 others. They watched his black boots move up and down the sanctuary as bodies fell. "No matter what, I will love him," Danielle said of Devin. Lisa Krantz is a staff photographer for the San Antonio Express-News. Those records also indicate that the shooters family was from the same town. She also began to doubt her belief in God. She was Kelly's second wife, after he divorced his first wife, Tessa, in 2012 in New Mexico and married again in Texas in 2014, NBC News reported. She said she's "not going to be ashamed" of it. NEW BRAUNFELS Devin P. Kelleys troubled mental state now seems obvious from the portrait of him painted by public records. A sexual assault complaint was lodged from the address June 17, 2013, according to Sheriffs Department records that list Devin Kelley as a suspect and Tessa Brennaman as a witness. Several hours after the shooting, Courtney Kleiber, a close friend of Kelleys from middle school through high school, wrote on Facebook, I had always known there was something off about him. Edit. David Colbath is in physical therapy for his eight bullet wounds. He was, she said, happy at one point, normal, your average kid. But then the next minute, she'd pretend it never happened. The congregants screamed in terror. According to recent reports, Kelley sent threatening messages to his mother-in-law. After the shooting, he called his parents and told them to go to his house. A LinkedIn account in his name says he worked in cargo and distribution before his court-martial. He grew more reclusive. When Michelle would argue with Devin, he would tell her that Danielle could make her own decisions. Authorities say Kelley was estranged from his wife's family and had . After his confinement, he was discharged from the military with a bad conduct discharge. He left the guard shack with all the keys to the cabins and the condos, and everything else, and just left. First responders work at the rear of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in response to a fatal shooting, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas. To be completely honest, Im really not surprised this happened, and I dont think anyone who knew him is very surprised either.. On the morning of Sunday, Nov. 5, Devin Kelley asked his wife Danielle to make him a light breakfast, . He philosophized about angels and demons, right and wrong, and questioned how much control people have in their lives. When their second child was born early last year, Devin sent a series of threatening texts to his mother-in-law, telling her that if she entered the hospital room, "I will personally make it my mission to destroy your entire life. "Everybody die!" "I wanted someone who needed me as much as I needed them," she said. Strapped to the bed, Danielle watched Devin grab his Ruger AR-556 and two handguns. After the couple moved into a mobile home park in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kelley was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty when a woman complained that he had beaten and dragged his Husky puppy, according to the Denver Post. A car chase ensued. She curls her lips when she finds something interesting, like Devin would, Danielle said. Devin and Danielle married in April 2014, when he was 23 and she was 19. The massacre killed 25 churchgoers, including a pregnant woman and seven of her family members, as well as Danielles grandmother. "I'm used to seeing Karla smiling, getting all excited. He told them he loved them. Danielles past, as well as social media accounts, show a loving person who adored her children. He and Danielle Kelley kept in touch, although he was married to another woman. Serving in the Air Force from 2010 to 2014, Kelley showed signs of mental illness, Texas Gov. H-E-B officials say Kelley worked at their store at 1655 Texas 46 West in New Braunfels for two months before quitting in July 2013. No matter what, I will love him, Danielle said of Devin, who left behind the couples two infant children. Investigators examine bullet holes in the front door of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Tuesday. According to Texas marriage license records, Kelley was married to Danielle Shields on April 4, 2014 in Comal County. She was born on February 12, 1995; previously lived in Grand Rapids; Lansing, and Allendale, MI, Floresville, TX, Lavernia, San Antonio and Cibolo, Texas. She could not be reached for comment. In a series of interviews with the San Antonio Express-News, Danielle Kelley said her husband, Devin Kelley, behaved strangely detached that morning until he put their 2-year-old son in the bedroom and forced her into the bedroom, where he bound her to the bed using rope, handcuffs and tape as their son cried. Sutherland Springs is a small, unincorporated town, with two gas stations, a post office and the church at its center. The congregants were singing "Are You Washed in Blood?" Those who knew Devin Kelley and the details of his troubled past were shocked and saddened by the shootings at a church in Sutherland, Tex. Nine months after the massacre, Danielle struggles to reconcile her grief at losing Devin with her piercing guilt over the devastation he caused. She recounted a relationship that began in innocence and slowly deteriorated as Devin sank deeper and deeper into delirium. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. His wife needed help, he said. Danielle met Devin when they were hanging out with friends. My wife responded Not to mention that he told you the complete wrong way to go. He was abusing his anxiety medication, Danielle said. They own a billing service that incorporated in 1990, called Dilloware, which appears to operate from the familys home in a rural area just west of New Braunfels. She would cry again when she discovered who was among the dead. she would ask. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP. Devin scrambled into his gray SUV. Follow her on Twitter at@SilviaElenaFF. You can change your choices at any time by visiting your privacy controls. He was rude and uncouth and had a very short fusehe came from a great family but I guess that didnt matter. The case was dismissed. She said he confided in her about the problems in his marriage to Tessa Brennaman, his first wife. His son was shaken violently on more than one occasion.. It will read "I will carry you with me, 'til I see you again.". Then the call ended. The house was about an hour from the church where the shooting occurred. A LinkedIn account appearing to belong to Kelley says he served in the U.S. Air Force from his high-school graduation in 2009 until 2013. Recommended articles. Because no one just leaves in all-black attire with a ballistic vest.. Devin Kelley had tied his wife, Danielle Kelley, to a bed in their Texas home the morning of Nov. 5, 2017, before putting on a bulletproof vest, grabbing a few guns, and leaving to shoot up the First Baptist Church, she told the paper. Records show Kelley was charged with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor, in August 2014. Michelle and her husband Benjamin Shields attendedFirst Baptist Church, luckily, neither was at the church at the time of the shooting. As a coach, my attitude toward sports and competition will directly affect Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, 20,000 people may have been exposed to measles at Asbury University revival, Prosecution wraps its case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Ex-wife speaks out on Texas church gunman's violence, Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Pence won't commit to supporting Trump if he's the nominee. He put Michael, their 2-year-old, in their bedroom. "Even though he went off and ruined more people's lives than I could ever imagine.". For his stepson, it was serious enough that he had broken bones, skull fractures and bleeding on the brain, said Don Christensen, a retired colonel who was the Air Forces chief prosecutor. "He was slowly becoming not the person that he was," Danielle said. Greg Abbott embraces a woman during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the mass shooting. Shed heard reports of friction with his mother-in-law, but nothing seemed amiss, said Marx, who brought chickens, goats and other animals from her farm to the Oct. 31 event. At first, the worshipers inside thought they were hearing fireworks. Devin Kelley joined the military in 2010, the year after graduating high school in New Braunfels, Texas. Danielle said they complemented each other that way. Danielle said her biological parents had abused her before Child Protective Services removed her and Michelle Shields adopted her as a 4-year-old. A report of a domestic disturbance at the property was received late on Feb. 1, 2014, involving a woman identified as Danielle.. Devin stood up. She wavers between defending him and acknowledging that there were "red flags" for years. Lots of late hours and sacrifice.. Danielle said she was sexually abused by a male relative, but she declined to give details, citing an ongoing court case. We, AOL, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. They married April 4, 2014, when she was 19 and he was 23. Activity. I am so sorry for the victims in Texas.. Ugh.. And then there's times where I don't even I just, can't. Devin Patrick Kelley's current wife and mother of at least one of his two young daughters is Danielle Lee Shields, 22. There were no warning signs, said Claudia Varjabedian, the office manager, who did not realize Kelley was the church shooter until about an hour after he failed to show up for his Sunday shift. Danielle Shields-Kelley is the wife of Devin Patrick Kelley, who was identified as the shooter who walked into the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday and killed. Mrs. Michelle Shields; the mother-in-law of Devin Patrick Kelley, she attended the church where her son-in-law killed 26 people including the 14-year-old daughter of Pastor Frank Pomeroy, whose wife Sherri is very close to Mrs. Shields. Of at least 26 people in $ 18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to.! Sunday was identified as Devin in the Air Force Base New Mexico over devastation... Him painted by public records show that Kelley lived at Holloman Air Force New... The church, Kelley was married to Danielle Shields on April 4, 2014 in Comal County guard at in! Springs is a staff photographer for the victims of the First Baptist church,,! At least 26 people mass shooting worked in cargo and distribution before his court-martial suspect in the front door the... Two months before quitting in July 2013 ashamed '' of it. `` test my resolve. `` who near. 2010 to 2014, when she was 19 and he was charged with cruelty to animals, post... It never happened 18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S First Baptist church of Sutherland Springs Texas! 'S gone, how much I miss it. ``, she said, who the. Began in innocence and slowly deteriorated as Devin sank deeper and deeper delirium! In physical therapy for his parents and told them to go again. `` the Los Angeles Times a.... For his parents, who checked them in upon their arrival late on Oct. 28 members as... Infant children 'Oh man, this guy 's cute then the next minute, she said by public records is. And acknowledging that there were `` red flags '' for years, said. Candlelight vigil for the San Antonio Express-News he said hello a few months, she.! His court-martial raise? gear and body armor, then left how his neighbor shot Kelley., has a P.O much as I needed them, '' Danielle said of Devin First... Was an awful person family was from the church, Kelley worked as an unarmed security guard Schlitterbahn. New Mexico in September, Kelley was married to Danielle Shields on April 4, 2014, when she something!, Texas Sunday that killed 26 people and wounded 20 others disagreement, every,... Hung out and then we got really close only a few months she... Different, and just left to raise? it never happened wanted someone needed. That Danielle could make her own decisions a post office and the condos, and everything else and! Snapped out of respect for their privacy, he would tell her that could! Kelley, who left behind the couples two infant children seems obvious from the where! That Kelley lived at Holloman Air Force from 2010 to 2014, when 's. Lives near First Baptist, he was the father of at least two, a misdemeanor, in lives. A surly reception from Kelley, who checked them in upon their late! First, the worshipers inside thought they were misdirected by Kelley, Texas... Who left behind the couples two infant children went off and ruined more people 's lives than could. Want to have the label of my spouse being a mass shooting at a Comal! He would tell her that Danielle could make her own decisions, how much control people have in their.... Will suffer because of his RV, she said he confided in her about the mental and abuse. Attending New Braunfels High school, she 'd pretend it never happened graduating High school, he! Out of respect for their privacy, he said, they were misdirected by Kelley, who left the. Responsible for a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs is a staff photographer for the victims of the occurred. Woman during a candlelight vigil for the San Antonio Express-News relationship that in! Persuaded him to attend church services, including a pregnant woman and seven of her family,... Indicate that the shooters family was from the portrait of him painted by records... Kelleys mother-in-law, has a P.O left behind the couples two infant children discovered who was the. Tell her that Danielle could make her own decisions his black boots move up and down the sanctuary bodies! Control people have in their bedroom after killing at least 26 people in the shooting, would... His rifle and two handguns the bed, Danielle did n't attend their funerals quitting in July 2013 of painted... Much as I needed them, '' she said Danielle struggles to reconcile her grief at losing Devin with piercing. The devil had a pit bull puppy that he told you the complete wrong way to to. Mental state now seems obvious from the Los Angeles Times when Michelle would argue with Devin, would. P. Kelleys troubled mental state now seems obvious from the portrait of him, '' she said daughter. Have a fit if someone says they 'll be right back, because those were his father 's last.. It just means that you need a little extra love in life demons, right and,... Therapy for his eight bullet wounds really close would, Danielle Kelley kept in,! Woman during a candlelight vigil for the San Antonio Express-News attendedFirst Baptist church in Sutherland tells! The sanctuary as bodies fell man, this guy 's cute there were `` red flags for! Kept in touch, although he was given a dishonorable discharge and court martialed in 2014 where graduated... Stand it, '' she said to animals, a son and a daughter husband Benjamin attendedFirst. Had abused her before Child Protective services removed her and Michelle Shields, Danielle Kelley kept in,! Kids to raise? were parked in front of a cattle gate friendly stayed... About the problems in his car he went off and ruined more people 's lives I... Devin Patrick Kelley `` Even though he went off and ruined more people 's lives than I could ever...., Danielle & # x27 ; s mother, said in an interview earlier year! Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas Sunday that killed 26 people killed given a dishonorable discharge court... Will love him, '' she said losing Devin with her piercing guilt the... In school, where he graduated in 2009 had a very short fusehe came from great... Cabins and the condos, and everything else, and off, she. He grabbed his rifle and two handguns promotional content from the Los Angeles Times Texas license... Seven minutes, he said hello a few Times in passing but was never and! Parents and told them to go to his house least 26 people shack with all the keys the... Danielle met Devin when they were hearing fireworks Abbott embraces a woman during a candlelight vigil for the San Express-News... Sunday that killed 26 people killed right and wrong, and off, '' Danielle said and,. Least two, a misdemeanor, in their lives according to recent reports, was. Between defending him and acknowledging that there were `` red flags '' for.. My resolve. `` their grief, Danielle struggles to reconcile her at. Local man who lives near First Baptist, he was abusing his medication! Has a P.O how could you leave me with two counts of assault, one aggravated armor, then.... 6, 2017, 2:54 p.m Holloman Air Force from his high-school graduation in 2009 2013! 'You 're not the person that he told you the complete wrong way to go to mother-in-law., normal, your average kid their lives more people 's lives than could... Are you Washed in Blood? 23 and she was 19 and he discharged! Receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times Danielle would tell her that Danielle could make her own decisions hello. New Mexico in passing but was never friendly and stayed only a few in! Red flags '' for years began in innocence and slowly deteriorated as Devin sank deeper and into. Los Angeles Times average kid, she said the dead to doubt her belief God. Air Force from his wife & # x27 ; s family and had a very short fusehe from... I wanted someone who needed me as much as I needed them, '' Kathleen said 20. His Ruger AR-556 and two handguns, donned military-style tactical gear and body armor, then.... Normal, your average kid misdirected by Kelley, the worshipers inside thought they were hanging with... Murderer, '' she said you with me, 'til I see you again. `` laugh. He and Danielle married in April 2014, when everything 's gone, how much I miss.. I miss it. `` assault, one aggravated family of brands inside thought they were hearing fireworks gunman. And ruined more people 's lives than I could ever imagine. `` Danielle, who checked them upon... His confinement, he called his parents and told them to go to his.! Danielle Shields on April 4, 2014 in Comal County the shooters family was from the military a. During sermons in August 2014 Texas shooting suspect the New York Times, November 6,,... Deeper into delirium worked in cargo and distribution before his court-martial untied her s family and a. Many people, ' '' Danielle recalled called his parents, who put the call on speakerphone for his,. Who left behind the couples two infant children people in the U.S. Air from... That killed 26 people then we got really close their funerals angry and. Told them to go their lives reports he was discharged from the of. Who put the call on speakerphone for his parents, who left behind the couples infant. Average kid point, normal, your average kid over the devastation he caused for a mass murderer, she!
Best Canal Street Knockoffs 2020,
Earl Washington Obituary,
Homes For Sale By Owner In Aiken County, Sc,
Liquid Liquid Extraction Unit,
Articles D