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‘We Can’t Have Hate’: Texas Church Shooting Survivor Shares Powerful Messages of Grace

Photo by Stewart F. House/Getty Images
Photo by Stewart F. House/Getty Images
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By Will Maule
Author

December 31, 2019

A man who survived the shooting at a Texas church this past weekend has spoken out about the ordeal.

‘I’m Thankful to God’: 71-Year-Old Trump-Supporting Texas Hero Who Took Down a Church Shooter in 6 Seconds Speaks Out

West Freeway Church member John Richardson dived to the ground and lay on top of his wife when he heard shots ring out at the Fort Worth area church.

In a matter of seconds, the shotgun-wielding attacker had killed two people before being taken out by an armed church member.

Incredibly, despite the loss of life, Richardson said he felt no ill will towards the attacker. “We have to understand that evil is everywhere and that no matter preaching or teaching, if evil’s going to try to do something horrible, evil’s going to do something horrible,” he told WFAA.

“All you can do is do your best to stop evil from happening to more people.”

Not only is Richardson void of resentment towards the murderous individual, but he even said that his “heart goes out to his family” because “they have to live with this.”

***BREAKING***

Longtime West Freeway Church member John Richardson survived this morning’s shooting.

He and his wife hit the ground and he laid on top of her to protect her.

Here he selflessly says that he’s praying for the suspect’s family. pic.twitter.com/QFFjGpqMai

— Matt Howerton (@HowertonNews) December 29, 2019

The attacker himself, he said, was still a “creature of God.”

“I know he took some lives but we have to remember that he is a creature of God also just like we are,” Richardson added. “And it’s a sad thing that he had to come into the congregation and hurt people, and it’s a sad thing that we had to hurt him, but I don’t have any hate for this person.”

‘Two Men Today Left a Legacy’: Texas Pastor Speaks Out About Church Shooting After Hero Congregants Down Gunman

The compassionate congregant also urged his fellow Christians to be gracious in their response to the tragedy, rather than expressing vengeance. “We can’t have hate for these people, we can’t have hate for anybody that does hate for us,” he said.

“We have to live out the life of Christ that wants us to teach and preach and be that example of His on earth to every person we can meet.”

Police investigating the attack have yet to determine a motive.

The heroic security team member who gunned down the attacker said he was grateful for “all who have sent their prayers and comments” in the wake of the incident.

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