Pence: Gunman and Air Force at fault in Texas massacre

VP Mike Pence to meet victims in Sutherland Springs.

SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (KTRK) -- Vice President Mike Pence is blaming the Air Force bureaucracy in addition to the gunman for a massacre at a South Texas church that left more than two dozen dead.

Pence spoke at a news conference Wednesday afternoon outside the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, where the shootings happened.

He said the gunman lied on his background check application when buying the weapons. He also cited the man's history of mental illness and bureaucratic failings within the Air Force for the tragedy.

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Pence began his trip to Texas Wednesday by visiting Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio to meet with victims wounded in the shooting. Then he, his wife and Texas officials met with victims' families, first-responders and two men who pursued the gunman.

Local resident Jamie Rose (L) is hugged by church member Raymond Antonio as she delivers flowers, at the entrance to the First Baptist Church on November 6, 2017.none

Local resident David Cesillas, who says he helped wounded churchgoers, reacts at the entrance to the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.none

Local resident Meredith Cooper (L) and her daughter Holly arrive to place flowers at the entrance to the First Baptist Church with nurse Heather Rostrom.none

FBI agents search for clues at the entrance to the First Baptist Church, after a mass shooting that killed 26 people in Sutherland Springs, Texas on November 6, 2017.none

Mona Rodriguez, Jayanthony Hernandez, 12 and Juanita Rodriguez, from left, participate in a candlelight vigil held for the victims of the shooting.none

Community members come together for a candlelight vigil for the victims of a deadly church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.none

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott attends a candlelight vigil held for the victims of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.none

From left are Christopher Rodriguez, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Mona Rodriguez, Jayanthony Hernandez, 12, and Juanita Rodriguez participate in a candlelight vigil for the victims.none

Mourners participate in a candlelight vigil held for the victims of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.none

Mourners participate in a candlelight vigil for the victims of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.none

A candlelight vigil is observed on November 5, 2017, following the mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.none

Annabelle Pomeroy, 14, was killed in the mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, her parents confirmed.none

Texas state troopers erect a barricade to control traffic near the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.none

Law enforcement officials gather near the First Baptist Church following a shooting on November 5, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas.none

Members of the FBI walk next to the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after a fatal shooting, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.none

Pence said President Donald Trump had authorized a full complement of federal resources to the investigation, including 100 on-site FBI agents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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