TWO brave locals stopped the Texas mass shooter by fatally wounding the “deranged” killer before running his getaway car off the road, it has been claimed.

Devin Kelley, 26, killed at least 26 worshippers in the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs before being confronted by crack-shot plumber Stephen Willeford, 55.

11 Local man Stephen Willeford managed to shoot the mass killer in between his body armour, it has been claimed Credit: Facebook

11 Fellow local Johnnie Langendorff, along with Willeford, ran Kelley off the road Credit: Facebook

One local has claimed that a rifle-wielding Willeford managed to shoot Kelley in between his body armour, with the bullet piercing his side, reports the Mail Online.

Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Director Freeman Martin also confirmed that the 55-year-old, known as an excellent shot in the small town, “grabbed his rifle and engaged the suspect”.

The resident said that Willeford and fellow local Johnnie Langendorff jumped in the latter’s truck and gave chase to Kelley – who had grabbed a hostage and had fled in an SUV.

But when Langendorff managed to run the depraved killer off the road, the pair of heroes realised that Kelley had bled out after earlier being shot by Willeford, claims the local.

Hero Johnnie Langendorff on chasing gunman Devin Kelley after shooting massacre at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas

11 An aerial view of the alleged gunman's car in neighbouring Guadalupe County Credit: Universal News (Europe)

11 At least 26 people were killed when Devin Kelley opened fire at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs on Sunday Credit: AP:Associated Press

11 Devin Kelley is thought to be the man who shot multiple people in a church service Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures

The local told the Mail: “He was bleeding pretty bad. He didn't live much longer than that."

The man said that keen biker Willeford does not attend the First Baptist Church but was alerted to the shooting by his daughter.

While police said that evil Kelley had been found dead, they could not confirm whether the wound was “self-inflicted or if he was shot by a local resident”.

Langendorff's girlfriend Summer Caddel described on Facebook how her partner had “chased that sick b*****d down in pursuit until the cops could catch up. He was able to run the shooter off of the road…”

11 Plumber Willeford is reportedly known as an excellent shot in the small Texas town which has been rocked by the massacre Credit: Facebook

11 Texan Langendorff claims he was driving at 95mph while chasing mass killer Kelley Credit: KSAT NEWS

Dozens dead following mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas

Speaking with KSAT 12, Langendorff, who works at NAPA Auto Parts, said he was driving at 95mph while tailing Kelly as Willeford trained his gun on the SUV.

He said the mass shooter appeared to lose control of his car as he approached a sharp curve in the road crashing into a ditch.

Langendorff, of Seguin, Texas, said: “That's when I put the truck in park. The other gentleman jumped out, and had his rifle on him. He didn't move after that.”

The pair stayed at the scene for "five to seven minutes" before police arrived.

Langendorff added: "I was strictly just acting on what's the right thing to do."

Both Langendorff and Willeford, who were not injured, have been hailed as heroes for their brave actions.

Devin Kelley, a former member of the US Air Force, burst into the church in Sutherland Springs in southern Texas, near San Antonio, yesterday while a service was taking place and opened fire on the congregation.

11 Kelley had earlier posted a picture of the weapon used in the massacre on Facebook Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures

11 Authorities pictured removing the SUV which Kelley used to flee the scene of the mass killing Credit: AP:Associated Press

US President Donald Trump has described the 26-year-old killer as "deranged" saying a the shooting was a "mental health problem at the highest level", but not a "gun situation".

The 14-year-old daughter of the church's pastor and a pregnant woman were among those killed in the blood-soaked massacre in the quiet Texas town - which has a population of just 400.

The US Air Force confirmed Kelley served in its ranks from 2010 and was posted to its Logistics Readiness unit at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.

He was court-martialed in 2012 on charges of assaulting his wife and child, and given a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for 12 months and a reduction in rank, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said.

The gunman was dressed in black, tactical-type gear and wearing a ballistic vest when he entered the church during the late morning service.

11 FBI agents pictured at the scene of the massacre which is the worst mass shooting in the history of Texas Credit: AP:Associated Press

11 Grieving locals hold a candle-lit vigil on Sunday evening after at least 26 people, including children, were gunned down Credit: AFP or licensors

US President Donald Trump expresses grief for victims of Sutherland Springs mass shooting

He fired a semi-automatic weapon into the congregation of about 50 during the middle of the service – stopping only to reload his gun.

Two officials said former serviceman Kelley, understood to be a married father, lived in a suburb of San Antonio and does not appear to have links to organised terrorist groups.

Kelley's now deleted Facebook page showed a photo of what appeared to be an assault rifle, posted under the words: "She's a bad b****."

The page also featured the Mark Twain quote: "I do not fear death."

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