“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.”
–Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong
So, there has been another church shooting. What can we learn from this one?
The shooting occurred June 22, 2025, at Crosspoint Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, about 20 miles west of Detroit.
The first lesson we learn from this incident is that early information is not always 100% accurate. The first reports were that there was a shooting. The shooter was shot, then the shooter was hit by a car, then there were others shot.
It turned out there were some details that were true, but that was not all put together until a day or two afterwards. That said, this article is written 48 hours after this incident and some facts here may need to be corrected since then.
The perpetrator entered the parking lot driving erratically.
The second lesson we see here is the importance of perimeter security. Houses of worship must have personnel monitoring the outside. The best way to keep people safe inside is to keep the bad guys outside. Based on Carl Chinn’s research, approximately 68.8% of church security incidents start outside the church building.
The shooting happened around 11:15 a.m., shortly after the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service started.
The third lesson learned here is that after church services start, LOCK THE DOORS!
The perpetrator exited his vehicle with long gun (AR-15 style rifle) and pistol, dressed in a “Tactical” vest according to witnesses. The fourth lesson here is Situational Awareness. What is normal in a parking lot and what is not. See something, say something.
As the shooter approached the church building, he began shooting, hitting the building in several places and one church member in the leg.
As this was occurring, another church member, arriving on property in his personal vehicle, saw this and took action by driving his truck into the shooter. As he did so, the shooter opened fire on the driver.
It was reported that the driver of this vehicle was a Deacon at the church. As was the person who stopped a church shooting in Pittsburgh on June 4, 2014, by tackling the assailant as he pointed the gun at the pastor. GO DEACONS!
Lesson number five is that in time of need, you need to be prepared to use whatever tools you have at your disposal to stop a bad guy. As the driver struck the shooter, two security team members of the church stopped the shooter from progressing into the church by use of firearms killing the perpetrator.
The three heroes that prevented a large-scale mass shooting went towards the sound of gunfire and they used what they had at their fingertips. Two used firearms, one used the steering wheel of a Ford F-150.
Lesson number six is that when you are having any event that involves many children, make sure you have security there. There were 150 people at the special Vacation Bible School service Sunday morning when the shooting occurred, and more children than usual were in attendance.
Lesson seven is don’t allow The Mayberry Syndrome to occur. It CAN Happen Here!
When the shooting began outside the building, congregants assumed the gunshots were construction related. Do not have “Normalcy Bias.”
PD states the shooter was the son of a woman who is a member of the church, and that he had visited (attended) several services in the past year. Lesson number eight is pay attention to all those that visit your property. Are they surveilling your location for a future attack?
Smile. Say Hello. And use these four words: “May I Help You?”
These four words show a person that you are aware of them. If they are in need, you can help them. If they are up to no good, they are now aware that you know they are there.
Remember…Security is a MINISTRY!
Police are saying the shooter’s motivations for the attempted mass shooting are unknown, but that he appeared to be suffering from a mental health crisis.
Lesson nine is to communicate with your team who may be a person of interest. If there are members or family members of your congregation who have a history of mental illness, make this aware to the security team.
Lesson ten is simple. Training is absolutely necessary!
If you fail to train, you have simply trained to fail! Get training for your security safety team.
Terry Berringer is the owner operator of Church Emergency Consulting in Pittsburgh, www.churchemergency.com. If you need suggestions, or have any questions, you can email him at terry@churchemergency.com.
Much of this information is from Law Enforcement Today
