Quick action by parishioners might have prevented a mass casualty incident on Sunday (June 22) at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan. About a half-hour into a special vacation Bible school service, police said, a suspect wearing a tactical vest drove a truck through the side of the suburban Detroit church and opened fire.
A church member who saw the incident unfold ran into the suspect with the church member’s own vehicle, according to police. Police said two members of the church’s security team then shot and killed the suspect, who had begun firing at the vehicle that hit him. One security team member was shot in the leg and is reportedly in stable condition following surgery.
In a video clip from the service, which authorities confirmed is authentic, a woman stands in front of VBS decorations and recaps the successful program. Numerous children are wearing VBS T-shirts. After shots are heard, worshipers scramble for cover, and the woman urges everyone to “come to the back” for safety.
CrossPointe Pastor: ‘God’s Hand of Protection’ Was Evident During Attack
Bobby Kelly Jr., senior pastor of CrossPointe Community Church, said about 150 people—including more children than usual—were at Sunday’s service. Worshipers initially thought the ruckus was construction noise, he explained, and the service proceeded until a security guard ordered everyone to flee.
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The gunman never entered the building, Kelly said, and members of the church’s security team quickly locked the front doors. The “divinely positioned” parishioner who ran over the suspect gave the security team time to fire back at the suspect, said the pastor. The church members who helped subdue the gunman have asked not to be identified.
According to police, the suspect is a 31-year-old local man whose mother attends CrossPointe. The suspect, who has no criminal record, had attended a few services during the past year. While executing a search warrant at the suspect’s house, police found additional weapons and ammunition. Authorities, who are still investigating, said the man apparently acted alone and may have been experiencing a mental health crisis.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Pastor Kelly requested prayers for the suspect’s family and for church members coping with this “shared traumatic experience.” He thanked first responders as well as local churches who are reaching out in support.
“As details emerge,” Kelly wrote, “we are seeing God’s hand of protection more clearly in how what could have been, simply wasn’t.” The pastor added that CrossPointe will continue to declare the gospel so that people—including individuals like the suspect—can experience Jesus’ forgiveness.
Police: Church’s Emergency Training ‘Saved Lives’
About 10 years ago, CrossPointe launched a security team in the wake of mass shootings at various public locations. “We are sitting ducks to someone who wants to come and do harm,” explained Pastor Kelly, whose church hadn’t received any specific threats.
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