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Stephen Willeford, right, hugs Johnnie Langendorff during a vigil for the victims of the First Baptist Church shooting. Photo: David J. Phillip / AP
Stephen Willeford, the Sutherland Springs resident who confronted church shooter Devin Kelley, told Arkansas' KHBS/KHOG that when he ran towards the church, all he was thinking was: "I've got to get there, I've got to stop what's happening."
"The people at that church, they're friends of mine, they're family. And every time I heard a shot, I knew that that probably represented a life...I think my God, my Lord, protected me and gave me the skills to do what needed to be done."
Willeford told conservative commentator Steven Crowder that he grabbed his AR-15 and a handful of ammunition out of a safe and ran out the door without shoes on.