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Dramatic video shows interview with man who shot, chased gunman after church shooting

Stephen Willeford tells sheriff's deputies he believes he wounded shooter

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

SAN ANTONIO – ABC News released a dramatic cellphone video on Friday that shows some of the immediate aftermath of the church shooting that claimed the lives of 26 people and wounded 20 more in Sutherland Springs on Sunday.

The video was recorded by Johnnie Langendorff and appears to shows sheriff’s deputies interviewing 55-year-old Stephen Willeford. 

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FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE SUTHERLAND SPRINGS SHOOTING, CLICK HERE 

Langendorff and Willeford are credited with chasing the gunman, Devin Patrick Kelley, after the shooting at the First Baptist Church. 

Willeford exchanged gunfire with Kelley before he fled from the church.

He then got into Langendorff’s truck and the men followed Kelley for 10 miles before Kelley crashed a Ford Explorer into a ditch, and was later found dead. 

RELATED: Daughter of slain guest pastor shares first emotional message since mass shooting at Texas church

In the video, Willeford, visibly distressed explains to authorities what happened and is asked by a deputy if he believes he may have shot Kelley.

“I can’t think of any other reason why he took that sign out and ended up in that ditch,” Willeford appears to say in the video.

To learn more about each victim, click here.

Willeford confirms he heard gunshots coming from the church and says, “So, I-- I had to -- God, I had to get into my safe.”

Willeford told the deputy he then saw Langedorff on the corner; jumped into his truck, and the men gave chase, despite not knowing one another. 

The video ends with Willeford saying, “Please, let me call my wife and my family.” 

Langendorff said in an interview with KSAT that the high-speed chase reached 95 mph.

The two men have been hailed as heroes for their efforts in tracking down Kelley after the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW RELEASED BY ABC NEWS:


About the Author
RJ Marquez headshot

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.

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