An armed security guard shot and killed an active shooter who opened fire during a Sunday service at Crosspointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, in a harrowing confrontation that also involved a quick-thinking church member using his truck to stop the gunman.
Wayne County Police Deputy Chief Finley Carter told the Washington Examiner that the suspect was a 31-year-old white male. “The investigation is ongoing with multiple agencies on scene,” the department said in a post on social media.
The violent encounter unfolded around 11:15 a.m., shortly after the 10:45 service had begun, with roughly 150 people, including an unusually high number of children attending vacation Bible school, inside the building. Police confirmed that the suspect “was shot and killed by a security guard,” who was shot in the leg during the incident.
A video published by local ABC News affiliate WXYZ Detroit shows law enforcement investigating the scene outside the church.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino wrote on X that the bureau was assisting at the scene: “Our leadership and support teams are on the ground, at the scene, in Wayne, Michigan providing assistance and investigative support.”
Church senior pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. told the Detroit News that the attacker drove a vehicle, reportedly a Ford F-150, into the church before opening fire. A church member reportedly rammed the shooter with his own truck, allowing the security guard time to return fire and fatally shoot the suspect.
“Many heard noises and thought it was construction,” Kelly said, adding that the congregation only realized what was happening after chaos broke out. “It could have been so much worse.”
A video that appeared to show congregants inside the church went viral on X, showing parents and young children realizing the moment that the shooter rammed his vehicle into the house of worship. Congregants quickly realized the threat and were ushered by a member of church staff into a safer location within the building.
Local Councilwoman Melissa Sampey thanked responding officers from both Wayne and neighboring Westland, writing on Facebook, “Please pray for all involved.”
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Wayne County police urged residents to avoid the area as officers continued their investigation Sunday afternoon.
The church described the service as part of a special vacation Bible school event, a popular summer outreach program for children. Authorities have not yet released the gunman’s name or provided a motive for the attack.