THE BAREFOOT DEFENDER: STEPHEN WILLEFORD

On the morning of November 5, 2017 the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, was full of worshippers when shots rang out. Hearing the shots, Stephen Willeford grabbed his AR-15 and a hand full of bullets and ran down the street to the church (ironically, he had forgotten to put on shoes and was running barefoot). Little did he know that day would forever change his life and the lives of the entire community of Sutherland Springs. 

Stephen confronted the shooter and fired multiple shots at the suspect, striking him multiple times. The incident ended after a brief chase and the suspect, bleeding from his wounds, fatally shot himself but not before 26 people had lost their lives and 22 others were seriously injured, making this the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history. 

If not for the actions of Stephen Willeford that day, it's possible many more lives would have been lost. Today, Stephen is an advocate for gun ownership, and is a key member of the Gun Owners of America organization. He is also the author of the acclaimed book, 'A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy'.