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Butler County lawmaker hires security for pro-life fundraiser in light of Texas church shooting

Posted at 9:56 AM, Nov 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-07 14:25:45-05

WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Citing Sunday’s mass shooting in Texas, State Rep. Candice Keller, R-Middletown, who is also executive director of the Community Pregnancy Center, said she has hired Butler County Sheriff’s deputies to work security at her pro-life fundraiser this week in West Chester Twp., according to the Journal-News.

“That’s the times we live in,” said Keller, adding this is the first time she has hired security for such an event.

Keller said she felt “a quiet concern” for the country because of the recent violence.

Texas officials Monday did not give a motive for the shooting that left at least 26 people dead and 20 others injured, but said there had been a “domestic situation” between the shooter — 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley — and his mother-in-law before the massacre.

“We know that he expressed anger towards his mother-in-law who was in this church,” Texas Department of Public Safety regional director Freeman Martin said during a press conference.

Martin said the shooting wasn’t related to race or religion.

Officials have previously said Kelley had no apparent links to terrorist groups.

Keller said she carries a weapon and she’s typically escorted to public functions and her own church by armed officers.

“I look over my shoulder a lot more,” she said. “You can’t live in fear, but this is a sobering time.”

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