Stephen Willeford is the “good guy with a gun” who helped end the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history in 2017 that left 26 dead and 20 more injured in the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Willeford, who lives only 100 yards from the front door of the church, engaged the assailant who had opened fire inside. Upon hearing the gunshots, Stephen immediately ran outside with his firearm, barefoot, and called out to the shooter. His actions successfully drew the attention of the assailant who exited the church to engage Willeford. After taking two shots to the body armor, the assailant jumped into his vehicle, fired more shots at Willeford, and attempted to flee the scene. As the killer entered his car, Willeford shot the assailant twice, and fired two more shots at the vehicle as it fled the scene.
Stephen Willeford then recruited Johnnie Langendorff, a nearby witness who was at a stop sign in his truck, who let Willeford into his vehicle. The two chased after the shooter in Langendorff’s truck for 11 miles, reaching speeds up to 95 mph, when the assailant lost control of his vehicle and crashed in a ditch. After standing sentry at the crash with his firearm for seven minutes, police arrived on scene, and relieved Willeford. The shooter was pronounced dead in his vehicle after the crash.
Since that fateful day, many officials, including Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt Jr., United States Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Senate and even the President and Vice President of the United States have called Willeford a hero.
After the First Baptist church massacre, Texas lawmakers changed the law to allow licensed handgun owners to legally carry weapons into places of worship, and Willeford has been instrumental in advising policies in Texas to allow citizens to better protect themselves.
Stephen Willeford, a spokesman for the Second Amendment Foundation, is available to be interviewed to discuss the shooting that occurred in his community, as well as recent tragedies, and state legislation on gun control.
Q&A:
1) Texas church shootings are in the news again this month with the latest being an assailant shooting and killing two parishioners before being gunned down by another armed parishioner. What are your thoughts on the actions of Jack Wilson, and the response of the church security team?
2) Do you believe, having seen the video, that all churches should be armed in this manner? What can you tell us about security measures that have been taken in your community since the event in 2017?
3) Can you give us a brief history of the tragedy in your community in 2017, and what training prepared you to respond as you did on that day?
4) Were you afraid when you were responding to the shooting? Did you ever consider turning back, and leaving the matter to the police?
5) What do you have to say to people who believe that stricter gun laws would prevent mass shootings from taking place?
6) In recent months, we have seen policy changes in states like Texas to solidify the people’s rights to carry firearms in certain places such as churches, however, we have also seen states push more radical gun control laws, as is the case in Virginia. What are your thoughts on the differences in policy choices in these states?
7) Where may people get more information on you and the work you’ve done since your involvement in stopping the church shooting?
About Stephen Willeford
A native of Sutherland Springs, Texas, Stephen Willeford was raised in a family of five on a dairy farm near the First Baptist Church. He is the fourth generation to live on a few hundred acres of land in Wilson County.
Stephen has always relied on his faith to guide his life, and his deep roots in Sutherland Springs are a product of his family’s commitment to their community. An avid sportsman, Stephen began shooting at a young age and honed his shooting skills by participating in shooting competitions as he grew older. He made sure his three children were trained in gun safety, passing along his expertise.
After the deadly mass shooting in November 2017, Stephen has become known across the country as the “good guy with a gun.” Stephen credits his unwavering faith and penchant for preparedness as to why he was able to step in during this critical incident, believing that each day of his life prepared him for what happened on that Sunday morning.
Stephen has begun speaking publicly about his life and experiences, even delivering a lauded speech at the National Rifle Association Convention in May 2018. Because of his selfless service to his community, Stephen was also an honored guest of members of the Texas delegation at the 2018 State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
An experienced professional plumber, Stephen earned his license from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship School in San Antonio and has nearly 35 years of experience in his field. In 2018, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Stephen to serve on the Texas Private Security Board. He is a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), was an NRA-certified instructor and a former assistant scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America.
Stephen has been married to Pam Farmer Willeford for 30 years and has three children and three grandchildren.
ABOUT THE 2ND AMENDMENT FOUNDATION:
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
News coverage of Stephen Willeford shooting back at assailants at Texas Church:
