The mass shooting at a Texas church would’ve been much worse if it wasn’t for two heroes who took immediate action. One of those heroes was named last night, as Faithwire reported.
The other had not been identified until just a short while ago, and he is 55 year-old Stephen Willeford, was reportedly taking a nap when he was awakened by the gunfire and received a call from his daughter called him to let him know what was going on nearby. According to the Daily Mail, Willeford,is a plumber who is also an avid biker and attendee of another local church in the area, and apparently a pretty good shot.
After realizing what was going on, Willeford then grabbed his own AR-15 assault rifle, and engaged with the killer and caused him to flee the scene. It is believed that Willeford was able to wound the suspect before he eventually fled to his car and from the scene. Willeford then flagged down Johnnie Langendorff, who was driving by, and told him that church had been shot up and they needed to pursue the shooter. Authorities credit these two quick thinking heroes with bringing this horrific killing spree to an end before more life was lost.
At some point during the pursuit, the suspect called his own dad and told him he’d been wounded and probably wasn’t going to make it. He then died moments later in what authorities describe as a self-inflicted gun wound. Authorities also said at a press conference Monday that the shooting was not the result of any religious beliefs or political statements, but rather a family dispute.
Langendorff told reporters that Willeford advised him, as they were chasing the suspect, that he may have to use the vehicle to ram him off the road. Langendorff replied that he was ready to do so. Amazing actions by these two heroes, both risking their lives for complete and total strangers.
Willeford must be a pretty good shot, especially under pressure, because he did apparently wound the suspect during the shootout. Langendorff said the suspect was bleeding “pretty bad” and didn’t live much longer after the car chase.
Thank God for these two brave Texans!