Just like any other Sunday, people in Texas got dressed in their best outfits to offer prayers at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, but unlike any other day, this one has been marked in the histories as the deadliest shooting in Texas ever.
As per the authorities, the shooting could have claimed even more lives if it were not for the two strangers, Johnnie Langendorff and Stephen Willeford who jumped into action.
When gunman Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Stephen Willeford, who lives near the church, grabbed his own gun and ran out of the house barefoot to confront the gunman.
Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt Jr. told CNN's Chris Cuomo that Stephen Willeford is nothing less of a hero who stepped up when he heard the gunshots. He credited Stephen for saving many lives which could have been lost had he not been there.
After the shootings, Kelley sped away in a pearl-colored Ford Explorer and was followed by Willeford, who took a lift from Johnnie Langendorff in his truck and hailed Kelley down.
Willeford told CNN that he had to stop the shooter because he shot up the Baptist church. He made sure to do everything possible to prevent the guy and was successful in doing the same.
He reported the entire episode starting from an eye to eye contact that took place between him and Kelley when he was firing with a rifle at the parishioners attending the morning service. He killed about 26 people and injured more than 20 worshippers.
Willeford heard the commotion and ran outside with his gun as Kelley was leaving the church. Standing behind the pickup truck, the hero could not believe his eyes. The two exchanged gunfire and Stephen hit him. The Law Enforcement reported that Willeford too was hurt in the leg and the torso.
After the gunfire, Kelley jumped into his vehicle and fired off rounds through the driver side's open window as he drove away. That's when he approached Langendorff for a ride. Langendorff said that he was driving by the church on the way to his girlfriend's house when he witnessed Kelley and Willeford with their weapons drawn. Willeford opened Langendorff's door, told him that the gunman had shot up the church and requested to let him step in the truck.
Kelley was far out of sight as the two took off down 539. Each time Langendorff looked down at the speedometer, the needle oscillated between 90 and 95 mph, and soon they could get sight of the shooter. While weaving between cars in the middle of the country, both the heroes made sure to inform the police and offered them directions.
The chase lasted for about 10 minutes when Kelley veered off to the side of the road may be to pull over, and that’s when he hit the stop sign, lost control and fell into a nearby ditch.
Langendorff later reported the entire incidence to CNN, where he narrated the conversation that took between him and Willeford. All he heard was “Nothing. Get him." when asked why he said, "Because that's what you do, you chase a bad guy." And that is how it all started. Langendorff expresses no regret of throwing himself into such a dangerous situation. He stated that the shooting was a horrific incident but hopes that everyone who is affected finds their peace.
We salute the heroes for serving as martyrs to the innocent souls. Our world needs more people like them who can go to large extents to serve their nation and its people. Johnnie Langendorff and Stephen Willeford are true heroes and deserve all our respect and love.
Do you too believe that we need more heroes like Johnnie Langendorff and Stephen Willeford to save our world? Let us know in the comment section below.
