The wife of the pastor whose 14-year-old daughter was killed in the Texas church massacre returned home Monday, where she gave an emotional statement about losing not only their child but so many fellow members of their flock in the killing.
“We lost more than Belle yesterday,” said Sherri Pomeroy who was away with her pastor husband Frank when Devin Kelley opened fire on their First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, killing their daughter Annabella and 25 others.
“One thing that gives me a sliver of encouragement is the fact that Belle was surrounded yesterday by her church family that she loved fiercely, and vice-versa. Our church was not comprised of members or parishioners, we were a very close family — we ate together, we laughed together, we cried together and we worshipped together.”
“Now most of our church family is gone, our building is probably beyond repair and the few of us that are left behind lost tragically yesterday.”
Frank Pomeroy, who stood stoically beside Sherri at the press conference, added that they had just endured a “long night” with their surviving children.
Asked what he was going to tell other grieving families, he said he wasn’t sure yet, but that they should “lean into the Lord.”
“I don’t understand, but I know my god does,” Frank said.
The couple said they’d been “bombarded” with requests from the media to talk about Annabelle, but declined because they didn’t want to “overshadow the other lives lost yesterday.”
But Frank Pomeroy did tell ABC News that she was “one very beautiful, special child.”