- November 2017 – Sutherland Springs, Texas
- begun speaking publicly about his life and experiences
- May 2018 – speech at the National Rifle Association Convention
- 2018 Texas delegation at State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
https://www.stephenwilleford.com/
About Stephen Willeford
Stephen Willeford is the Sutherland Springs, Texas, resident who confronted the gunman at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs on November 5, 2017. Alerted by his daughter to gunfire near his home, he retrieved an AR-15 rifle he had assembled himself, ran barefoot toward the church, and exchanged fire with the attacker, wounding him. When the gunman fled in his vehicle, Willeford flagged down passing driver Johnnie Langendorff, and the two pursued him at high speed until the attacker crashed and was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack killed 26 people and remains the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.
Willeford, a plumber by trade who was widely reported to be a former NRA instructor, became one of the most cited examples of an armed citizen stopping an active threat. He has consistently rejected the label of hero and has used his public appearances to talk about faith, preparedness, and community responsibility. In the years that followed he spoke at the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings in Dallas, attended the State of the Union address, and appeared at screenings of the documentary A Miracle on 4th Street, which tells the story of that day.
Key Facts
- November 5, 2017 – Engaged and wounded the gunman at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, then joined Johnnie Langendorff in pursuing him
- January 2018 – Attended the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., as a guest of Rep. Henry Cuellar
- May 2018 – Spoke at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Dallas
- 2018 – Joined First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs as a member
- February 2021 – Appeared in El Paso to share his account and promote the documentary A Miracle on 4th Street
Learn More
Sources
- Texas Monthly: Stephen Willeford profile (2018)
- Associated Press via Washington Times: Area resident hailed as hero for engaging Texas gunman
- KVIA: Hero of Sutherland Springs talks to El Pasoans
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