Sara Louise Johns Johnson, aged 68, was a devoted mother, grandmother, and active member of the Sutherland First Baptist Church congregation. On November 5, 2017, she tragically lost her life in the Sutherland Springs church shooting, which claimed 26 lives and injured 20 others. Sara, along with her husband Dennis Neil Johnson Sr., was attending the Sunday service when Devin Kelley, a former U.S.
Air Force serviceman, opened fire.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that Kelley had a history of domestic violence and had been court-martialed by the Air Force for assaulting his wife and stepson. Despite this, the Air Force failed to report Kelley's criminal history to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System , which allowed him to purchase firearms. Kelley later used these firearms in the attack.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Kelley fled the scene but was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident led to multiple lawsuits against the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Defense for their failure to report Kelley's criminal history. The victims' families, including Sara Louise Johns Johnson's, sought justice and compensation for their losses.
The Sutherland Springs shooting remains one of the deadliest church shootings in U.S. history, and the community continues to heal from the tragedy. The victims, including Sara Louise Johns Johnson, are remembered for their contributions to their families and communities.
