Sutherland Springs, Texas


Sutherland Springs is an unincorporated community located on the old Spanish land grant of Manuel Tarin in northern Wilson County, Texas, United States. It is located on U.S. Highway 87 at the intersection of Farm Road 539, about east of downtown San Antonio.

History

Sutherland Springs was platted in 1854, and named after John Sutherland Jr., a pioneer citizen. A post office has been in operation at Sutherland Springs since 1851.

2017 shooting

On November 5, 2017, Devin Patrick Kelley shot and killed 26 people and injured 20 at the community's First Baptist Church. The gunfire was heard by Stephen Willeford, a church neighbor and former NRA instructor, who grabbed his weapon and ran toward the scene barefoot. Willeford gravely wounded Kelley in a rapid exchange of gunfire, then corralled a nearby car and chased Kelley as he tried to flee the scene in his truck. After a high speed chase, Kelley succumbed to his injuries and was found dead in a roadside ditch. It was the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.

Geography

Old Sutherland Springs occupies a portion of the South bank of the Cibolo Creek, with New Sutherland Springs on the north bank of the Cibolo Creek.