A Republican congressman representing Allen, Texas — where a gunman killed at least 8 people in a mass shooting on Saturday — said people who don’t believe in the power of prayer following a violent incident aren’t believers of an "almighty god" after he was asked what his response would be to people who feel prayers are not the solution to mass shootings.
Authorities responded to a shooting at Allen Premium Outlets — a mall near Dallas, Texas — around 3:40 p.m. Allen Fire Department Chief Jonathan Boyd said in a press conference that at least 9 people, including the gunman, died. Seven others were also injured, according to the fire chief. The New York Times reported that the ages of the victims ranged from 5 to 61.
During an interview with CNN, Rep. Keith Self called for prayer in light of the mass shooting, which included injured victims as young as 5 years old.
When a CNN reporter asked what his response was to people who feel "prayers aren’t cutting it," the congressman said, "Well, those are people that don’t believe in an almighty god who is absolutely in control of our lives."