Texas resident Johnnie Langendorff is being hailed a hero after chasing after a Texas gunman who shot and killed at least 26 people in a small church on Sunday.
The incident took place at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs when, according to CNN, Devin Patrick Kelley allegedly entered the church and opened fire on the congregation attending the morning service.
A local resident with a rifle attempted to confront Kelley as he exited the church. It is alleged that a shootout ensued, the suspect reportedly dropped his assault rifle and made a getaway in an SUV, CNN said.
Meanwhile, Langendorff was driving past the church, en route to his girlfriend's house, when his path was intercepted by the resident, CNN said.
"The gentleman with the rifle came to my truck as the shooter took off, and he briefed me quickly on what had just happened, and said that we had to get him and so that's what I did," Langendorff told KSAT.
A high-speed chase ensued and the two managed to catch up to Kelley after he lost control of his vehicle near the intersection of Hartfield and Sandy Elm roads.
According to Langendorff, "the gentleman that was with me got out, rested his rifle on my hood and kept it aimed at him, telling him to 'Get out. Get out.' There was no movement. There was none of that."
Local law enforcement arrived within minutes to find Kelley dead inside his vehicle.
BBC later reported that the cause of death was from a self-inflicted gunshot. It was also revealed that several other weapons had been recovered from Kelley's vehicle.
Langendorff has since been praised for possibly preventing more blood from being shed. His Facebook has been inundated by messages of praise.
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