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DANGERFIELD, Texas (KETK) — On Sunday, members of First Baptist Church in Dangerfield will be remembering those who lost their lives during the mass shooting that occurred at their sanctuary 45 years ago.

The shooting took place on June 22, 1980 and was the first mass shooting in an American church. The shooting was orchestrated by former math teacher, Alvin King III, who was set to go on trial the following day for incest charges and hoped members of the church would serve as character witnesses.

After members of the church turned down his plea to be character witnesses, King arrived at the church and opened fire on a crowd of nearly 300 people, killing five and injuring 10 others.

“I heard a pop pop pop like firecrackers and I looked around and it was a man with a gun,” said Judy Pollan, who survived the shooting. “Dressed like a soldier, really, and he was shooting.”

As shots continued, people dropped to the floor.

“A bullet got her right in the temple and it came out right between her eyes,” said the mother of a shooting victim, Gina Linham. “I got up and ran over there to her and shook her and gently pulled her to me. I was patting her and telling her it was going to be okay, but when I looked under the bench I saw her brains.”

King was able to flee from the church and ran towards a nearby fire station, where he shot himself in the head. King survived after being treated at a nearby hospital. Before his murder trial began, King committed suicide by hanging himself in the Morris County Jail.

The five people who were killed in the shooting were:

• Gene Gandy
• Gina Linam
• Thelma Richardson
• James “Red” Y. McDaniel
• Kenneth A. Truitt

Parishioners will have the chance to remember those who tragically lost their lives 45 years ago during Sunday mass at 6 p.m. Before they enter the church, they will also have the opportunity to view the monument that stands outside the front door and honor those who died on that horrific day.