President Donald Trump tweeted praise for the gun carry laws that enabled a former FBI agent-turned-volunteer security guard to take down the gunman in a fatal church shooting that left two people dead in Texas Sunday.

'Our prayers are with the families of the victims and the congregation of yesterday's church attack', the president wrote in a tweet Monday night about the shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement.

Keith Thomas Kinnunen, 43, was identified as the shooter who opened fire at the church during a service, taking the lives of Anton 'Tony' Wallace, 64, and volunteer security guard Richard White, 67. His motive remains unclear.

Former FBI agent-turned-volunteer security guard Jack Wilson returned fire and took the shooter down within six seconds.

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President Donald Trump tweeted praise for the gun carry laws that enabled a former FBI agent-turned-volunteer security guard to take down the gunman in a fatal church shooting that left two people dead in Texas Sunday

'Our prayers are with the families of the victims and the congregation of yesterday's church attack', the president wrote in a tweet (pictured) Monday night about the shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement

Former FBI agent-turned-volunteer security guard Jack Wilson took the shooter down within six seconds

Kinnunen has a lengthy criminal record which includes arrests for theft and aggravated assault.

'It was over in 6 seconds thanks to the brave parishioners who acted to protect 242 fellow worshippers', Trump said.

'Lives were saved by these heroes, and Texas laws allowing them to carry arms!'

West Freeway Church of Christ Senior Minister Britt Farmer also praised Texas gun laws in a news conference following the shooting.

West Freeway Church of Christ Senior Minister Britt Farmer also praised Texas gun laws in a news conference following the shooting

'We lost two great men today, but it could have been a lot worse', Farmer said. 'I am thankful our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves'

'We lost two great men today, but it could have been a lot worse', Farmer said. 'I am thankful our government has allowed us the opportunity to protect ourselves.'

A recent law passed in Texas, Senate bill 535 which was approved this past September, allows state residents to carry firearms openly in places of worship.

Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, told Fox News Monday that he hopes the gun law that prevented further carnage at West Freeway Church will end up a model for other churches and states.

Paxton said the law likely saved 'many people in the church'.

'We cannot stop every incident, and we can't change the fact that there are people who are mentally ill.'

'Let's face it -- this is going to happen again. We need to be prepared.'

Anton 'Tony' Wallace, 64, (left) and Richard White, 67 (right) were both killed in the shooting on Sunday

The minister said his congregation was 'open-hearted', and that he was heartbroken by the deadly shooting.

'There is evil in this world', he said.

A picture of the mayhem as it unfolded during a fatal shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ on Sunday. Circled is the shooter, Keith Thomas Kinnunen, 43

Keith Thomas Kinnunen, 43, in two different mug shots from previous arrests was identified as the shooter who opened fire opened fire at the church during services. His motive remains unclear

Wilson, who took down the shooter, made a similar statement about the gunman in an interview with NBC on Monday.

The father, grandfather and local politician admitted that he did not feel as though he had taken another life.

'I don't feel like I killed a human,' he told NBC 'I killed an evil and that's how I'm coping with the situation'.