Monday, January 31, 2000
Minister tells of church attack
Faith helped recovery
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ERLANGER — Texas minister Kevin Galey recalled Sunday how he took three bullets before realizing that a stranger toting a gun inside Wedgewood Baptist Church meant serious harm.
By that time, the unknown gunman — later identified as 47-year-old Larry Ashbrook — was positioned behind “row after row” of those gathered for a Sept. 15 youth rally inside the Fort Worth, Texas, church.
Mr. Galey thought many would be shot in the back of the head by the gunman he first figured to be in a skit.
“At that instant, those kids became my kids,” he said Sunday, giving the last of three weekend appearances for Erlanger Baptist Church's series on courage.
The gunman killed eight people that day including himself. He injured several others, including Mr. Galey.
Throughout his Sunday presentation, Mr. Galey spoke of ordinary people who encounter extraordinary situations and rely upon their religious faith, strength and courage to do the right thing.
“This event was a tragic event. It was a bad thing that happened,” he said. “I wanted to tell you about the tragedy because it was real. You can make a difference.”
Mr. Galey, who is Wedgewood's minister of counseling and community ministry, recalled walking through the church when he saw the gunman pointing his weapon aggressively.
He couldn't see that the gunman was shooting at adults who were sitting on a couch before choir practice. Mr. Galey falsely assumed that the man was part of a youth rally skit.
Then the gunman pointed the gun at Mr. Galey. He thought the weapon was a paint ball gun even when he felt the sting of bullets to his chest and hip and, in pure reaction, placed his hand on the chest wound and saw a “milky red substance.”
Mr. Galey was angry, though he still didn't realize an actual gun was causing the pain in his chest.
“I thought, "I've got to work ... and I've got paint all over my body. Christian or no Christian, I'm taking him out,” he said.
He saw the gunman shoot another. Then the gunman was poised behind the rows of youngsters, who were unaware that he was there.
Three thoughts raced through Mr. Galey's mind: “Can I take him down? What if I can't? I have three small children. If he shoots me, I'm a dead man.”
Mr. Galey called for help, urging nearby adults to call 911. He then remembered the chaos of people trying to escape the church and being led out of the church himself.
He lay outside as he heard
more gunshots and saw police rush past, helicopters swarm above and his wife and 6-year-old son arrive at his side.
“I would have traded anything ... for him to not have seen that,” Mr. Galey said of his son.
Mr. Ashbrook shot and killed himself that day. Since then, Wedgewood's story has been broadcast around the globe.
Many have offered support through e-mails, letters and posters. Wedgewood has posted them throughout its facility.
After Mr. Galey spoke Sunday, the Rev. Bill Crosby reminded the audience that tragedy can happen anywhere and any place.
“Thank you for sharing,” he told Mr. Galey.
Steve Sorrell, principal of Campbell County High School, was in the audience and introduced Mr. Galey to those attending Sunday's service.
Afterward, he said the Texas minister gave voice to some of his own emotions. In 1994, Mr. Sorrell was Ryle High School's assistant principal. He persuaded Clay Shrout to surrender his gun after the teen took a math class hostage. He had killed his family hours before.
Mr. Sorrell said his religious faith accounted for his courage that day.
“It's kind of like (Mr. Galey) gave the words to my feelings,” he said.
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