Wayne Police Department officers responded to an active shooter situation at Crosspointe Church in Wayne, Michigan, on Sunday morning during worship services.
The emergency call came in during what should have been a peaceful morning of worship for the congregation.
The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m. local time when a 31-year-old white male from Romulus opened fire on the congregation mid-service.
The timing of the attack coincided with the church’s regular Sunday morning service when families and individuals had gathered for worship.
Church security personnel shot and killed the suspect before he could carry out what police believe was intended to be a mass shooting.
The quick response from trained church staff prevented what could have been a devastating attack on innocent worshippers.
One church staff member sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the confrontation with the armed individual.
The injured staff member was the only casualty among the congregation during the violent encounter.
Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong confirmed during a news conference that the gunman carried both a long gun and a handgun while wearing tactical gear.
The suspect’s equipment suggested he had prepared extensively for the attack on the house of worship.
“The gunman is a 31-year-old white male from Romulus. His motivations are unknown, but at this point it appears he was suffering from a mental health crisis,” Strong stated.
Police records show limited previous interactions with the suspect, with Strong noting their past encounters were “quite limited. Like nothing of note.”
The lack of significant prior incidents made the violent attack particularly unexpected for law enforcement officials who had minimal contact with the individual.
The armed suspect approached the Christian church when a parishioner attempted to stop him using a vehicle as a barrier.
This brave civilian intervention represented the first line of defense against the approaching gunman who was intent on entering the worship facility.
“Several staff members from the church approached the gunman. A parishioner struck the gunman with his vehicle as the gunman shot the vehicle repeatedly,” Strong explained.
Video footage circulating on social media captured the chaotic moments as congregants took cover behind pews before evacuating toward the rear of the church.
The disturbing footage shows the panic and fear that gripped the worship service as innocent families sought safety from the gunman.
“Everybody to the back,” a woman can be heard shouting in the footage.
“Please, everybody, come to the back.” Her urgent voice captured the terror and desperation of the moment as church members fled for their lives.
At least two church staff members engaged the gunman with gunfire, delivering fatal wounds that ended the threat.
The church staff members involved in stopping the attack have chosen not to be publicly identified at this time, Fox News highlighted.
Strong emphasized that preliminary investigations suggest the gunman intended to commit a mass shooting at the house of worship.
The evidence gathered at the scene supports the conclusion that this was a planned attack designed to cause maximum casualties among innocent worshippers.
Police determined the suspect had no known affiliation with Crosspointe Church or its congregation.
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation is monitoring the attack and providing investigative support to local authorities.
“Our leadership and support teams are on the ground, at the scene, in Wayne, Michigan, providing assistance and investigative support,” FBI deputy director Dan Bongino posted on the social media platform X.
The incident prompted Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd to issue safety reminders for religious institutions across the nation.
“This morning’s active shooter at a church in Wayne, Michigan, reminds us that all of our houses of worship must have a safety and security plan to immediately respond to an active shooter,” Judd posted on X.
Judd emphasized that active shooter situations can occur at any religious facility, including churches, synagogues, and mosques.
The sheriff noted that multiple churches in recent years have developed comprehensive security plans and trained personnel to respond to active shooter scenarios.
“We urge congregants: If you see something, or hear something suspicious, then say something. Talk to the house of worship leadership and security, and notify your local law enforcement agency immediately,” Judd advised.
Strong confirmed that Crosspointe Church had an emergency response plan in place that proved effective during the crisis.
“We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church’s staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large-scale mass shooting,” Strong said.
The police chief credited the church’s emergency training program with contributing to the successful outcome.
“I would add that the church parishioners and staff members were trained in responding to emergency situations, which also saved lives,” Strong noted.
The Wayne Police Department continues its active investigation into the incident while asking the public to avoid the area.
The post Armed Church Security Team Stops Gunman Before Mass Shooting at Michigan Service appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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