A federal judge in San Antonio today agreed to consolidate all of the lawsuits against the U.S. Air Force filed in connection with the Sutherland Springs shooting into a single case, and it will be heard in San Antonio, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The shooting in November of last year killed 26 people and left 20 wounded.
Relatives of the victims are suing the Air Force, claiming that the failure of the USAF to enter the name of the gunman into the national data base for gun purchases after he was convicted of domestic violence while he was in the military.
Attorney Dan Sciano is representing the family of one of the victims.
"There is no jury, so this just will make both the legal decisions, and will be ultimate judge and jury in the case," he said.
The wrongful death lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.
The plaintiff represented by Sciano is the family of victim Ricardo Rodriguez, 64, who was killed in the incident.
"LIke everybody, one day at a time," Sciano said. "What happens with all of this when there is a fatality, it never goes away. It is one of those holes in their heart."
The consolidated case is expected to go to trial before the end of this year.