Police credit staffers for stopping gunman at Wayne Co. church: They 'prevented a mass shooting' (2025)

Wayne— A gunman wearing a tactical vest and carrying two guns targeted a suburban Detroit church Sunday morning, firing shots into the building's exterior during a special vacation Bible School service before he was run over by one person and then fatally shot by church security.

The incident happened around 11 a.m. at CrossPointe Community Church, which is located at 36125 Glenwood Road.

About 150 people were at a service when Wayne police Chief Ryan Strong said a 31-year-old Romulus man began driving erratically outside the church. Strong said the man exited the vehicle in a tactical vest, armed with a long gun and a handgun, then began shooting at the church.

More: Police ID suspected gunman fatally shot at Wayne church

CrossPointe Community Church Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. said a church member noticed the shooting and drove over the man with a pickup truck.

"He was run over by one of our members who saw this happening when he was coming into church," Kelly said, which gave security time to fire back.

Strong said two church members then shot at the gunman, killing him.

“We are grateful for the quick actions of the church’s staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large-scale mass shooting,” Strong said. “I would add that the church parishioners and staff members were trained in responding to emergency situations, which also saved lives.”

Police have not yet publicly identified the suspect. Kelly said he was not aware of the shooter's identity but said the attacker does not appear to be a member.

Strong said the suspect's motivation is not yet clear.

"It appears he was suffering from a mental health crisis," said Strong, citing interviews police conducted Sunday.

The shooting happened around 11 a.m., and 911 calls started coming into police around 11:06 a.m., police said.

A security guard was shot in the leg, Kelly said, but no other church members were injured. Strong said the guard's injury was not life-threatening and that he was awaiting surgery.

Kelly said the attacker did not enter the building, but several shots were fired into the church.

Strong, the police chief, said the suspect did not appear to have a prior criminal history and appeared to have acted alone.

Sounds inside church

Kelly said roughly 150 people were at a special vacation Bible school service Sunday when the shooting occurred, and more children than usual were in attendance.

Congregants heard noises many assumed were construction-related and continued services until a security guard directed them to evacuate, Kelly said.

A short clip of a video of the church service shows some members beginning to leave the room. Then a woman at the front says, "Please, everybody come to the back," and more follow.

After a clicking sound is heard, a few people scream and the remainder of those in the room hurry out.

Members of CrossPointe Community Church started a security team roughly a decade ago in response to violence committed at other places of worship around the United States, Kelly said, although the Wayne church has not received threats of violence.

"We are sitting ducks to someone who wants to come and do harm," Kelly said.

Kelly said the children in attendance Sunday were "doing good" and that members were coming together to support one another.

"We will be convening our leadership to put a formal plan in place for the aftermath," Kelly said.

'This could have been anybody'

Police tape blocked access to the church Sunday afternoon, where a white pickup was parked with the top popped.

At least 10 police vehicles from Michigan State Police, the Wayne County Sheriff's office, and Wayne and Dearborn police parked in front of the church, as well as at least one ambulance and one fire truck.

State Sen. Darrin Camilleri, who represents Wayne, praised the security guard and deacon for preventing a bigger tragedy.

Camilleri said he and local officials are monitoring the situation to understand what motivated the shooter and to plan ways to keep houses of worship safe.

"This could have been anybody," he said. "This could have been any church, any mosque, any temple. I am grateful they were prepared for the worst and were able to stop the worst from happening."

CrossPointe Community Church offers a variety of online and in-person services. According to its website, it describes itself as a Christian church that encourages those who attend to join its community "whatever situation or stage of life you find yourself in."

"We encourage everyone to explore faith in God, experience genuine Christian community, and connect with Jesus Christ," according to its website.