Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackett gives an update during a news conference at the Stockdale Community Center following a shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs that left many dead and injured in Stockdale, Texas, U.S., November 5, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackett gives an update during a news conference at the Stockdale Community Center following a shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs that left many dead and injured in Stockdale, Texas, U.S., November 5, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackett gives an update during a news conference at the Stockdale Community Center following a shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs that left many dead and injured in Stockdale, Texas, U.S., November 5, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackett gives an update during a news conference at the Stockdale Community Center following a shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs that left many dead

Devin Kelley: Air force reject who became a mass murderer


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The gunman in Sunday’s church shooting in Texas has been identified as Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, who served in the US Air Force until being court-martialled and given a dishonourable discharge.

The Pentagon confirmed he served in the US Air Force “at one point”, but offered no further details.

His troubled military service – which reportedly ended after a period of imprisonment – is likely to form part of the investigation now under way into what made him open fire on the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in rural Texas, killing 26 men, women and children during a Sunday service.

Joe Tackitt, Wilson County Sheriff, told CNN: “We have no motive.”

He added that he did not believe Kelley was a member of the congregation.

“He was not from the immediate area,” he said.

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Read more:

Texas church shooting: gunman was dressed in full combat gear and used a semi-automatic weapon

Texas governor confirms 26 dead after church shooting in Texas

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Officials say he lived in New Braunfels, a suburb of San Antonio almost 50km away.

His home was being searched on Sunday evening.

Officers were also scouring his online presence. Before it was taken off-line, his Facebook account included a photograph of an assault rifle.

A LinkedIn account suggested Kelley had served in the US Air Force – in logistics and supply – since leaving school in 2009 high school.

Ann Stefanek, a spokeswoman for the Air Force, said records confirmed that Kelley served in Logistics Readiness at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge.

Pentagon records show he was sentenced to 12 months in confinement, according to the Daily Beast.

After leaving the service, he then volunteered briefly as a teacher for Bible studies at Kingsville First Baptist Church.

Martin Freeman, of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said Kelley was spotted at a petrol station in Sutherland Springs dressed in black, tactical gear at 11.20 am.

“He crossed the street to the church, exited his vehicle and began firing on the church,” he said during a press briefing on Sunday evening. “He moved to the right side of the church and continued to fire, and entered the church and continued to fire.”

The attack came to an end when he was engaged by a local with a rifle.

“A local resident grabbed his rifle and engaged the suspect, said Mr Martin. “The suspect dropped his rifle, an assault-type rifle, and fled from the church. A local citizen pursued the subject at that time.”

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Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

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The specs

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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group F

Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

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Arabian Gulf League fixtures:

Friday:

  • Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
  • Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
  • Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm

Saturday:

  • Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
  • Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
  • Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900