A judge has approved the demolition of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, where a gunman killed more than two dozen worshippers in 2017, making it the deadliest church shooting in U.S. history. Following the tragic event, the church sanctuary was converted into a memorial, and a new church building was completed about a year and a half later. Despite a temporary restraining order granted earlier this month to halt the demolition, State District Judge Russell Wilson denied an extension, allowing the church to proceed with its plans to tear down the building.

The church's decision to demolish the memorial faced legal challenges from some church members who claimed they were wrongfully removed from the roster before the 2021 vote to demolish the building. Attorneys for the church argued that the decision was a matter of church governance and property rights. While some visitors found solace in the memorial, the church argued that the structure was a painful reminder of the tragedy. The plaintiffs hoped the church would refrain from demolishing the building while legal issues were resolved.

The case reflects broader debates on the fate of mass shooting sites across the U.S. Other locations have faced similar decisions, with some buildings being demolished and replaced, while others have reopened or undergone modifications. The tragic event at Sutherland Springs, where 26 people, including a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, were killed, remains a poignant reminder of the impact of such violence on communities.