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Two heroic locals pursued the Texas gunman in a 95mph car chase before keeping a rifle trained on him until police arrived, it has emerged.

Brave resident Stephen Willeford is said to have confronted and shot Devin Patrick Kelley as he left the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.

Despite having no military experience, he reportedly opened fire on the 26-year-old suspect with a rifle, hitting him in between his body armour.

As the alleged killer then dropped his own gun and fled in an SUV, Mr Willeford, 55, called on bystander, Johnnie Langendorff, to help him.

The pair jumped in Mr Langendorff's truck and chased after Kelley, who had a head start, hitting speeds of 95mph as they weaved around traffic.

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(Image: Facebook) (Image: Facebook)

(Image: AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

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Eventually, they managed to run him off the road, it is claimed.

As Kelley - who has been named as the shooter by US media - lost control of the SUV and came to a halt, Mr Langendorff stopped his own truck.

Mr Willeford then leaped out, with his rifle drawn. He kept the weapon trained on Kelley until police arrived at the scene minutes later.

The suspect was reportedly found dead in his car.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Mr Langendorff's girlfriend, Summer Caddel described how Kelley passed away close to her boyfriend.

It is thought he may have died as a result of his gunshot wound.

Mr Willeford, a plumber, had gone to confront the alleged gunman after his daughter alerted him to the massacre, a local told the news site.

(Image: ABC) (Image: AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

An official said he had "grabbed his rifle and engaged the suspect".

Recalling his own heroic role in the incident, Mr Langendorff told KSAT 12 : "I pulled up to the intersection where the shooting happened and I saw two men exchanging gunfire, the other being a citizen of the community.

"The shooter of the church had taken off, fled in his vehicle and the other gentlemen came and he said, 'We need to pursue him, he just shot at the church'. And so that's what I did, I just acted and got him off road."

He described how Mr Willeford - a stranger to him - had come to his vehicle "in distress" and explained very quickly what had happened.

"He got in the truck and I knew that it was time to go," he said.

He continued: "[Kelley] got a little bit of a jump on us. So we were doing about 95 down 539 going around traffic and everything.

(Image: First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas/Youtube)

"Eventually he came to kind of a slow down and after that we got within just a few feet of him and then he got off the road.

"He just lost control and that's whenever I put the vehicle in park, because I was still on the phone with dispatch."

Mr Langendorff said Mr Willeford jumped out with his rifle drawn. Kelley "didn't move after that", said the courageous bystander.

He added that neither he nor Mr Willeford got close enough to the suspect in the SUV to see whether he was moving or injured.

Police reportedly arrived at the scene in Guadalupe minutes later.

At least 26 worshippers were killed and at least 20 others were injured when Kelley reportedly opened fire at the white-steepled church yesterday.

(Image: Facebook)

(Image: Facebook)

It was the latest in a series of mass shootings that have plagued the US.

The lone suspect, wearing black tactical gear and a ballistic vest and carrying an assault rifle, started shooting after entering the church.

The victims ranged in age from 5 to 72 years old, law enforcement officials said at a news conference. However, the death toll may rise.

The first confirmed victim was Annabelle Pomeroy, the 14-year-old daughter of First Baptist church pastor Frank Pomeroy.

Mr Pomeroy and his wife were both out of town in two different states when they heard the tragic news.

Mum Sherri Pomeroy told CBS News via text message: "My husband and I were ironically out of town in two different states.

"We lost our 14-year-old daughter today and many friends.

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"Neither of us have made it back into town yet to personally see the devastation. I am at the Charlotte airport trying to get home as soon as I can."

Other tearful relatives of churchgoers gathered outside the building as they waited desperately to hear about their loved ones.

Police have yet to officially confirm the names of any victims.

However, Amanda Mosel confirmed her 13-year-old goddaughter was among those who lost their lives.

The 34-year-old stood outside the Sutherland Springs Community Building where citizens gathered following the shooting.

She told the San Antonio Express-News: "From what I've heard, someone just walked in and started shooting."

Ms Mosel said she "sadly" wasn't at the service yesterday morning but the church is one she has attended.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

(Image: REUTERS)

"There's maybe 50 of us," she added. "It's a small, tight-knit church."

Joann Ward and her six-year-old daughter Brooke are missing feared dead following the shooting. Her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, was reportedly taken into surgery after being shot in the attack. Meanwhile, her nine-year-old daughter Rihanna escaped injury by hiding, KATU reported.

Ms Ward's stepson, five-year-old Rylan Ward, is also believed to have been shot and has had surgery to remove five bullets, according to CBS.

Local news channel Kens5 Eye Witness News claims that a two-year-old was among the shooting victims, although this has yet to be confirmed.

The nearby University Hospital said hey had received four children but did not specify whether were deceased or injured.

A pregnant woman was killed in the shooting along with several members of her family, according to numerous reports.

The woman is believed to have been eight months pregnant when she was gunned down.

It is feared three of the woman's five children were also killed, as well as members of her husband's family.

Kelley was later found dead in the SUV, which had multiple weapons inside, it is reported.

It has not been confirmed whether the fatal wound was self inflicted or as a result of the clash with Mr Willeford.

(Image: ABC) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: ABC)

Kelley has been identified as a former member of the US Air Force with a military background. He was discharged from the Air Force several years ago for allegedly assaulting his spouse and a child.

He is believed to have been a married father of a toddler son.

Police are now trying to piece together why the suspect targeted the small-town church.

Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt told CNN: “We don’t think he had any connection to this church. We have no motive.”

Witnesses reported seeing a man walk into the church at around 11.20am local time, half an hour into a Sunday morning service, before hearing gunfire ring out.

The church is thought to have a congregation of around 50, which would suggest more than half were slaughtered by the gunman.

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Victims were taken to a nearby hospital, just 15 miles away from the church, with many being airlifted by helicopters.

Another church, just down the street, got word that their neighbours had been attacked while they were mid-service.

Phones and pagers began ringing as it became clear that there had been a shooting, one CBS reporter said .

As the pastor and other members of the congregation ran to assist their fellow place of worship, they were 'met with a scene of carnage' with reports suggesting numerous children had been involved in the atrocity.

(Image: CNN/KSAT) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS)

Earlier, Peter Baker, Chief White House Correspondent for the New York Times said: "Texas county commissioner tells NBC News 'there are a lot of fatalities' at church shooting, estimating 24 dead. The shooter is deceased."

US President Donald Trump tweeted about the atrocity, and confirmed he was monitoring the situation from overseas.

He wrote: "May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan."

A US reporter in San Antonio wrote on Twitter: "At least six helicopters called to transport victims.

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"Neighbours say they heard shooter may have reloaded multiple times, around 50 people usually at service."

He added: "Police tell me shooter is dead and there is no more active threat.

"Area of the church is now blocked off and taped off. Family and friends still waiting to hear if their loved ones are safe."

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives , FBI agents and US Marshalls were all dispatched to the scene.

Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, said earlier: "Our prayers are with all who were harmed by this evil act. Our thanks to law enforcement for their response. More details from the DPS soon."

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In a longer statement, he said: "While the details of this horrific act are still under investigation, Cecilia and I want to send our sincerest thoughts and prayers to all those who have been affected by this evil act.

"I want to thank law enforcement for their response and ask that all Texans pray for the Sutherland Springs community during this time of mourning and loss."

Energy Secretary Rick Perry wrote: "Anita and I send our prayers to the victims of the shooting in Texas."

Sutherland Springs is a small community located in Wilson County, Texas on US Highway 87, with a population of just 362, according to the Handbook of Texas, published in 2000.

It has a Post Office, two petrol stations and a Dollar General Store.

One man wrote on Facebook: "Unbelievable that people can't go to church now without having to worry about an attack while praying."

Another added: "A very sad day.

(Image: @MaxMasseyTV/Twitter/KSAT) (Image: @MaxMasseyTV/Twitter/KSAT)

"Prayers to all involved that your Lord would comfort and strengthen this community in this terrible tragedy."

Hunter Wallace said on Twitter: "What kind of country are we living in when sick people are shooting people worshipping at church? It has happened again in Sutherland Springs."

The Boston Globe tweeted that yesterday's mass shooting was the 307th incident (with four or more victims) out of 309 days in the US.