Trump: Texas Shooting 'Isn't a Guns Situation'

He calls it a 'mental health problem at the highest level'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 6, 2017 1:03 AM CST
Trump: Texas Shooting 'Isn't a Guns Situation'
President Trump speaks, accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a joint news conference at the Akasaka Palace, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Tokyo.   (Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Photo via AP)

President Trump says the mass shooting at a Texas church "isn't a guns situation," but is a "mental health problem at the highest level." Devin Kelley, the man authorities have identified as the gunman, was discharged from the Air Force in 2014 for allegedly assaulting his spouse and a child, according to an Air Force spokeswoman. While no officials have publicly questioned Kelley's mental health, Trump said that "is your problem here." He offered no details. This was, "based on preliminary reports, a very deranged individual. A lot of problems over a long period of time," Trump said when asked about the shooting as he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a joint news conference in Tokyo Monday.

Authorities say after Kelley left the scene, he was confronted by an armed resident who engaged the suspect. Kelley was later found dead in his vehicle. Trump said "fortunately somebody else had a gun that was shooting in the opposite direction otherwise it (wouldn't) have been as bad as it was. It would have been much worse." He added: "But this is a mental health problem at the highest level. It's a very, very sad event." At the press conference, he ignored shouted questions about whether the US needs to consider tightening gun laws. At least 26 people died in the shooting, including several children.

(More Devin Kelley stories.)

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