Michigan church shooting: Minister ran over gunman before security guard shot him dead, pastor says
Service was concluding when incident occurred, sending churchgoers fleeing
A gunman was shot and killed by a church security guard in suburban Detroit on Sunday morning after a deacon ran the shooter down with a truck.
The City of Wayne, Michigan Police Department responded to a report of an active shooter at Crosspointe Community Church shortly after 11 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers found that the security guard had killed the suspect, described as a 31-year-old man by police.
At least one other person, another security guard, was shot in the leg. Several shots were fired into the church.
Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. told The Detroit News that a deacon ran the shooter over in his Ford F-150 truck, giving a security guard time to shoot the armed attacker outside the church.
“He was run over by one of our members who saw this happening when he was coming into church,” Kelly said.
At an evening press conference, police said that the suspect’s erratic driving drew the attention of church staff. He exited his vehicle wearing a tactical vest and armed with a long gun and a handgun.
As he approached the church building, he began firing his weapon. Several staff members approached the gunman before he was struck by the deacon’s vehicle, which he shot at repeatedly.
At least two staff members shot the gunman, causing fatal wounds. They have asked not to be identified at this point.
Police say that the actions of the church staff members “prevented dozens of people from being murdered today.”
The shooter's identity has not been revealed, but the pastor said he does not appear to be a member of the congregation.
Video from the church’s livestream on YouTube shows the moment the crowd reacts to the suspected active shooter.
As the service was concluding and congregants clapped, shouting could be heard off-screen.
People in the church then begin to duck down behind chairs while others run from the room.
A church official instructs people to come to the back of the room.
“Everybody to the back, please, everybody come to the back. Come to the back,” the person yells, before what appears to be a shot is heard.
The sound is then cut, and people continue to exit.
Pastor Kelly said roughly 150 people were at a special vacation Bible school service Sunday when the shooting occurred, meaning that more children than usual were in attendance.
The church has had security on sight for about a decade in response to violence committed at other places of worship around the U.S., although there have never been any direct threats made.
“We are sitting ducks to someone who wants to come and do harm,” Kelly said.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on X: “Our leadership and support teams are on the ground, at the scene, in Wayne, Michigan providing assistance and investigative support.”
Michigan State Senator Darrin Camilleri said in a statement: “Gun violence has no place in our community, and it’s deeply disturbing that a place of worship was targeted this morning. I am profoundly grateful to the security officer and Deacon whose heroic actions prevented a major loss of life today.”
He added: “I will be keeping the entire CrossPointe Church family in my thoughts as they continue to process this tragedy. I’ve been in contact with Mayor Rhaesa and will continue to be available to assist as the investigation continues.”