When Devin Kelley opened fire on a small church in Texas, he killed 26 people; Eight of them belonged to the same family.
Joe Holcombe and his wife Claryce lost their son, grandchildren, a pregnant granddaughter-in-law and a great-granddaughter who was still just a toddler last Sunday.
However, the 86-year-old and his 84-year-old wife seemed at peace with what had happened, taking solace in the belief their dead family members were alive again in heaven.
“It’s just not a problem to us,” Holcombe said. “We know exactly where the family is, and it’s not going to be long until we’ll both be there, and we’re really sort of looking forward to it.”
Under Texan law, Crystal Holcombe’s unborn child is counted as a victim, bringing the death toll to nine for just one family.
The grandparents were apparently upbeat and laughing during a telephone interview – an attitude not unusual in the town.
The deeply evangelical part of Texas is relying heavily on the thought their loved ones have reached heaven.
Pastor Mike Clements of the First Baptist church in Floresville said the people in Sutherland Springs are grieving, but also added: “It doesn’t get any better than this. There is nothing better than heaven when you are a believer.”
Frank Pomeroy, the pastor of the church who also lost his 14-year-old daughter in the attack told his service “that those who died lived for their Lord and savior”.
He stressed that Kelley had chosen darkness when he murdered the townsfolk, but the congregation, “we choose life”.
He described the victims as “my best friends and my daughter” and, through tears, said, “I guarantee they are dancing with Jesus today”.
