Stephen Willeford - the Hero of the Sutherland Springs Church Shooting Speaks With AOR
September 13, 2024
Criminal defense attorneys Rachel Moss and Andrew Marcantel sit down with Stephen Willeford, a national spokesperson and industry liaison for Gun Owners of America (GOA). Mr. Willeford recounts an incident on November 5, 2017, when he engaged an active shooter at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Background
On that day, Mr. Willeford, a local resident and trained AR-15 rifle user, was at home nearby when his daughter alerted him to the gunfire. Armed and barefoot, he ran toward the church and engaged the shooter, who was wearing tactical gear and body armor, hitting him multiple times. The shooter fled in a vehicle, and Mr. Willeford, joined by a local man named Johnny, pursued him while continuing to fire. The chase ended when the shooter crashed. The incident left 26 dead and 20 wounded. The shooter had taken his own life after the vehicle crashed.
1. The Significance of Preparedness
Mr. Willeford emphasizes the importance of readiness. He describes grabbing his AR-15 rifle he built for competitive shooting and heading barefoot toward the church during the mass murder. This led to an exchange of gunfire between him and the assailant, and a high-speed pursuit. His training and prior planning allowed him to respond effectively.
“You need to have a plan if you ever think you’re going to be involved in something – you need to have thought about it ahead of time.”
-Stephen Willeford
2. Use of Deadly Force
Mr. Willeford shared the legal and moral consequences that come with self-defense. The law recognizes the justified use of deadly force when stopping a violent felony such as capital murder. However, even a justified shoot can trigger criminal investigations, civil liability, and mental trauma. Mr. Willeford described giving statements to five different law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers. At the time, he thought he was going to be arrested.
“People need to understand: when you take a life – even as justified as that was – you’re still going to have consequences.”
-Stephen Willeford
3. “Lawyer Up and Shut Up”: Protecting Your Rights
Under Miranda rights, you have the right to remain silent and to consult with an attorney. Exercising those rights is not an admission of guilt but a protection against self-incrimination and legal missteps. Despite being hailed as a hero, Mr. Willeford gave multiple voluntary statements across jurisdictions without legal counsel - something he now recommends others avoid.
“Attorneys will tell you – that’s the time to lawyer up and shut up.”
- Stephen Willeford
4. You Are Your Own First Responder
Mr. Willeford expresses that though the police are supposed to save lives, people must be prepared to defend themselves and others until help arrives. During the Sutherland Springs shooting, officers arrived 5 to 7 minutes after Willeford had already engaged the shooter. At that time, people were dead and others were injured.
“When seconds count, police are minutes away… For the most part, police show up at a scene, mop up the blood, take evidence, and hopefully arrest somebody.”
- Stephen Willeford
5. Trauma and Recovery
Mr. Willeford shared the emotional toll of taking a life – even to save many others. He also recounted the emotional support his family gave him, the trauma experienced by survivors, and the profound sense of loss that lingered.
“It hurts… no matter how righteous the shooting is, you’re going to need a lawyer.”
- Stephen Willeford
Mr. Willeford explains that freedom is not inherited, it must be protected, practiced, and passed on. While he acknowledges the debate around civilian gun ownership, he believes that some of the worst atrocities in history were committed by armed, tyrannical governments, not individual citizens.
“A hammer in the right hands can build a beautiful mansion. A hammer in the wrong hands can murder somebody brutally. "
- Stephen Willeford
The attorneys emphasize that in states less friendly toward guns, a heroic act could easily be twisted into a criminal accusation. That’s why a legal defense program like The Attorneys On Retainer (AOR) is critical. If you would like to know more about how AOR can help you, please call 866-404-5112 or email us.
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