News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Tiffany Wallace banner.png
KXAS screenshot
KXAS screenshot
World News

Texas church shooting: Daughter forgives gunman for killing father

by Heather Preston

The daughter of a man who was shot dead in an attack on a Texas church on Sunday has said she forgives her father's killer.

Tiffany Wallace told NBC News affiliate KXAS her father Anton Wallace was serving communion at West Freeway Church in White Settlement, Texas when the gunman opened fire.

The gunman, identified as Keith Thomas Kinnunen killed two parishioners before being shot down by the church's head of security, Jack Wilson.

Following the incident, Wallace ran to her father's aid and told him she loved him. He later died in hospital.

Wallace gave tribute to her dad, who was a deacon at the church, calling him a "godly" man and a "rock" known by many within the church community and the hospital where he worked as a registered nurse. 

"Even when talking about heaven, he said he was always prepared, but I never thought this would happen," Wallace said. "You think dad would get old and sick but never get murdered," 

She recalled her daughter noticing the man when he first entered the building and telling her to be welcoming to the newcomer after she made comments about his strange appearance. 

Speaking about her father's killer she admitted it was hard to forgive him: "How could someone so evil, the devil, step in the church and do this?" she said.  

"I forgive him, and it's the hardest thing to say because it's like, somebody killed your dad, but I forgive him," she added. "I'll never forgive what he did, but I forgive him."
 

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate