Sutherland Springs: First pictures from inside mass shooting church

Reuters

People prayed as Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church reopened as a memorial to the 26 people killed in last week's shooting.

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Mourners were permitted inside to pay their respects. Twenty-six chairs commemorate the dead at the spots where they were killed.

EPA Three white chairs with the names of those killed

EPA

On each chair, there is a single rose and the name of a shooting victim. There's one with a small pink rose for Crystal Holcombe's unborn child next to its mother's.

Reuters

The book of Proverbs was available for worshippers to read, surrounded by boxes of tissues.

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The church building was open only for people to pay their respects. The actual Sunday service was held in a specially-erected tent on the site of the town's baseball field.

EPA Mark Collins, First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs associate pastor

EPA

Mark Collins, an associate pastor, held a news conference outside the church. He said the memorial service was the largest gathering in the church’s 100-year history.

EPA San Antonio resident, Rey Flores digs up sand to place flowers next to a cross left for a memorial to the 26 people who died

EPA

Mourners left flowers at a memorial to those killed. Ray Flores (pictured) is a resident of San Antonio who had come to pay his respects.

Reuters

Many from the local community came to pay their respects.

Reuters

Emergency services were among those who paid tribute to the dead.