A church elder who had befriended a father of three to help him get through his mental health struggles is dead along with his children after the father opened fire before killing himself.
Nathaniel Kong of “The Church in Sacramento” in California is being remembered as a “generous and selfless” man who had actually given the gunman a place to stay after he split with his girlfriend, reports the New York Post.
According to News 10, Kong volunteered to supervise visits by the father, 39-year-old David Mora, with his daughters – Samantha Mora Gutierrez, 10; Samarah Mora Gutierrez, 9; Samia Mora Gutierrez, 13.
The visitations took place at the church and it was during such a visit on Monday when Mora took out an AR-15 style rifle and killed all five of them in a murder-suicide.
“He was always so giving and all he wanted to do was help [Rojas],” said church member Joseph Wang. “We don’t know how he got the gun because that would never be allowed on the church property.”
Wang told the Post Mora had gone through some financial difficulties and that stress lead to the break up with his girlfriend.
Kong met the couple while passing out church flyers on a street corner several years ago and the family eventually joined the church.
News10 reports Kong actually served Mora with a restraining order after the former girlfriend said her ex had threatened to kill her.
“He was a pillar at our church! He was selfless! He was never judgmental towards the less fortunate,” said Alfredo about Kong to News10. “He lived in his calling according to God’s purpose!” Alfredo did not want to give his last name.
“Our church body is devastated and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy, and we ask for continued prayer for the victims, their family and our faith community as we grapple with this unexpected loss and trust the Lord for His strength in our grief,” the church elders wrote in a statement to the Sacramento Bee.
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