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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017
HEARTBREAK HITS TEXAS
Volume 107, Issue 11
Students homeless due to unfinished apartment complex By Erika Conover Lifestyle Reporter
A small memorial sits just outside the police crime scene tape that surrounds the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. A gunman killed 26 and injured 20 during church services Nov. 5. PHOTO BY BRI WATKINS
Bobcats affected by the Sutherland Springs shooting By May Olvera & Bri Watkins Opinions Editor & Managing Editor The morning of Nov. 5 marked the beginning of a nightmare for the close-knit community of Sutherland Springs. A town that had never sought or received national attention since its founding in 1849 will now be remembered for a tragedy that claimed 4 percent of its population. Sutherland Springs' first landmark was a post office opened in 1851 by the town’s founder, John Sutherland, Jr. Today, the post office sits directly across the street from a small white church on Old Highway 87, separated from the rest of its community by yellow crime scene tape and dozens of law enforcement vehicles. Since 1926, the First Baptist Church has been a focal point of hope and faith for residents. However, on Sunday morning a gunman claimed the lives of 26 within its walls. Today, the sidewalks on both sides of the road that separate the church and the post office look nearly identical: hundreds of journalists, their equipment and vans clutter the street while frustrated neighbors attempt to cope with the reality of
This is someone I’ve hugged and laughed and had memories growing up with. A lot of our old mutual friends are saying the same thing.” –Kelsey Huckaby
Tired of misplacing clothes, eating fast food and feeling like she overstays her welcome, one student decided to terminate her lease with Pointe Apartments. Audrey Watkins, anthropology and marketing sophomore, was supposed to move in on Aug. 15. However, the complex was unable to open because it was still under construction. Watkins looked forward to apartment life after spending a year living in Sayers Hall on campus. She chose Pointe because of its proximity and the promise that the complex would be new and fresh. Now, the complex has failed multiple inspections and cannot allow residents to move in. Pointe Apartments is refusing to pay back her lease money after she chose to terminate. “I could drive by the building and know that (students) weren’t moving in, but the lack of communication was extremely frustrating,” Watkins said. “Had I known they weren’t going to pay it all back and had I known it was going to get to this point, I would have paid to break my lease in July.” According to Watkins, Pointe owes her $6,032.14 for her lease and she has only been paid $400. She is in the process of hiring an attorney to get her money back. “Technically, the way they worded the emails and the paperwork I signed, they do owe me that money because the lease was terminated and they failed to (be ready for the) move-in... date that I signed on,” Watkins said. Watkins budgeted for cooking meals, but was unable to do so because she did not have a place to live. “I’m normally a very good student; I usually have all A's. This semester my test grades (are) a lot lower because I didn’t have somewhere to call home and study,” Watkins said. “I was living in my car.”
SEE POINTE PAGE 4
Law enforcement continues to investigate the scene of the shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs Nov. 6. Authorities say the gunman fired at least 450 rounds during the attack PHOTO BY BRI WATKINS
masses of strangers invading their property and their lives. The town of Sutherland Springs, where only 650 reside, has awakened to something they thought could only happen in other places. Aimee Gann, studio art senior, was surprised to hear the name of her tiny hometown uttered on national television by the president of the United States. “I was home alone, house-sitting for my parents who were out of town,” Gann said. “My dad messaged me to stay inside, and I didn’t change the TV from CNN all day. I watched the air life helicopter fly over the house, one after another, and heard the sirens blaring down the highway.” For Gann, the situation remained surreal until seeing the crime scene tape attached to a hay bale; then, reality sunk in. As the victims were named, Gann realized she knew some of the people who lost their lives.
Homecoming: a week of traditions By Sabrina Bryant News Reporter
American flags and grazing cattle lined the winding road on the Sunday morning when 26-year-old Devin Kelley made the drive to Sutherland Springs from New Braunfels. As Kelly passed the town’s post office and arrived at the First Baptist Church, he had a plan. At 11:30 a.m. he opened fire on the congregation, killing 26 and injuring more than 20. According to Freeman Martin, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, Kelley’s actions were related to a “domestic situation.” “We know he had made threatening texts, and we can’t go into detail (about) that domestic situation,” Martin said. “This was not racially motivated. It wasn’t over religious beliefs.” Kelsey Huckaby, curator for the Gallery of the Common Experience at Texas State, reflected on her childhood spent with Kelley.
During last week's Homecoming celebrations, the Student Association for Campus Activities hosted the Spirit Flag Competition, a coed 4x4 volleyball game, Annual Homecoming Talent Show and the infamous Soap Box Derby. Homecoming week ended after the football game, where this year's king and queen were announced. Through the Gaillardian Award, Texas State recognized 12 finalists out of 150 outstanding and accomplished student candidates each year. Student clubs and organizations nominate their candidates. The 12 Royalty Court Gaillardian winners were Abbie Judd, Amanda Wygal, Annie Bryant, Caroline Zito, Jade Trosclair, Makaela De La Garza, Meaghan Flores, and Melissa Wegrzyn, as well as Kennedy Smith, Cody Huffman, Hugo Garcia, and Jeremiah Crespo.
SEE SHOOTING PAGE 2
SEE WEEK PAGE 2