Feds Say Retailer Broke Law by Selling Rifle Used in Texas Church Attack

Federal prosecutors say a sporting goods retailer violated the law by selling an AR-15-style rifle and large capacity magazine to a man who used them to kill more than two dozen worshippers at a Texas church.

The Department of Justice said Tuesday in a San Antonio court fling that Devin Kelley presented a Colorado driver’s license at an Academy Sports + Outdoors store in Texas to buy the rifle and ammunition.

Prosecutors say federal law requires Academy to comply with Colorado statutes that would have prohibited the sale.

Academy declined comment Thursday.

Prosecutors want to add Academy as a responsible third party in an ongoing lawsuit.

Kelley fired at least 450 rounds in the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs in November 2017. Authorities say he shot himself to death.

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Topics Texas