Wayne, MI – A tragic incident occurred at Crosspointe Community Church in suburban Detroit on Sunday morning when a gunman, identified as 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning, opened fire on the church’s exterior during a Vacation Bible School service. A church member and the security team swiftly intervened to stop the attack, stopping a potential mass shooting.
At around 11 a.m., with approximately 150 people present, Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong reported that Browning, wearing a tactical vest and armed with a rifle, a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, and over a dozen additional magazines, began shooting at the church after driving erratically outside. A church member, witnessing the attack, struck Browning with a pickup truck, allowing the church’s security team to respond. A security team member fatally shot the Browning.
“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.
Senior pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. explained that a church member’s quick thinking in running over the gunman provided security with the time needed to respond. Although no other congregants were injured, a security guard did sustain a non-life-threatening leg injury.
A video clip from the service shows members starting to evacuate as a woman at the front calmly directed everyone to the back. Moments later, muffled gunfire prompted screams, and the remaining attendees quickly fled the room.
Police said that Browning’s mother is a member of the church, and he had attended services two or three times in the past year. The ongoing investigation indicates he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis, although his motive remains unclear. Authorities confirmed that Browning had no prior contact with law enforcement.
In the aftermath, Kelly reported that the children present were “doing good” and that the church community was rallying to support one another. “We will be convening our leadership to put a formal plan in place for the aftermath,” he added.
You Are Your Own First Responder
Crosspointe Community Church formed its security team nearly a decade ago in response to increasing violence at places of worship across the country, even though it never received direct threats. “We are sitting ducks to someone who wants to come and do harm,” Pastor Kelly said, emphasizing the vulnerability of congregations.
State Sen. Darrin Camilleri, who represents Wayne, commended the security guard and a deacon for their bravery. “This could have been anybody,” Camilleri 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.”
