The gunman responsible for the mass shooting at a small Texas church has been identified as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, but police are yet to confirm media reports.
Two officials - one a US official and the other in law enforcement - spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
The US official says Kelley lived in a suburb of San Antonio and he doesn't appear to be linked to organised terrorist groups.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said it was the largest mass shooting in the state's modern history.
“We don’t know if that number will rise or not, but we know that that’s too many and this will be a long, suffering mourning for those in pain,” he told a press conference.
"We are dealing with the largest mass shooting in our state's history," he added.
Exactly five weeks after the worst shooting in modern US history, the latest tragedy prompted an outpouring of condolences, led by US President Donald Trump.
The worshippers were gunned down at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a small rural community about 50 kilometers southeast of San Antonio.
The gunman reportedly walked into the church shortly before noon - at a morning service that witnesses said was normally attended by some 50 people - and opened fire, according to Mr Martin.
The suspect, armed with an assault-type rifle and a ballistic vest, then fled from the church after a local citizen grabbed a weapon and fired back.
Following a pursuit, the shooter was found deceased in his vehicle by law enforcement. It is unclear how he died.
Of the victims, 23 died inside the church, two were found deceased outside and one transported to a hospital died.
