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One person was injured at a Wayne, Michigan, church on Sunday morning after a suspect opened fire on the congregation mid-service.
“The Wayne Police Department responded to an active shooter at Crosspointe Church in Wayne this morning,” the department said. “Upon arrival, officers determined that a security guard for the church shot and killed the suspect. One victim was shot in the leg. Please avoid the area. Officers are still actively investigating.”
During a news conference, Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong shared that they did not know the suspect’s specific motive or why he chose to target the church, but said he was carrying a “long gun and handgun.”
“The gunman is a 31-year-old white male from Romulus. His motivations are unknown, but at this point it appears he was suffering from a mental health crisis,” Strong said.
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“Our interactions with him in the past were quite limited. Like nothing of note,” Strong added.
Strong said the gunman was also wearing tactical gear.
Chaotic video on social media reportedly shows congregants ducking behind their seats before running toward the back of the church.
“Everybody to the back,” a woman yells. “Please, everybody, come to the back.”
Strong said one staff member was shot once in the leg by the suspect, which happened around 11:45 a.m. local time.
The outlet said that the armed suspect was on his way into the Christian church when a person outside the church tried to stop him using a truck.
“Several staff members from the church approached the gunman. A parishioner struck the gunman with his vehicle as the gunman shot the vehicle repeatedly,” Strong said.
He added that at least two staff members shot the gunman, which caused fatal wounds.
The church staff members do not wish to be identified at this point, Strong said.
Strong shared that he believed the gunman was intending to commit a mass shooting based on the preliminary investigation. Police do not believe that the gunman was affiliated with the church.
The FBI is monitoring the attack. At this time, police said they believed that the gunman acted alone and had no accomplice.
“Our leadership and support teams are on the ground, at the scene, in Wayne, Michigan providing assistance and investigative support,” FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote on X.
In the wake of Sunday’s shooting, Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd urged those going to places of worship to be cautious and alert for suspicious activity.
“This morning’s active shooter at a church in Wayne, Michigan reminds us that all of our houses of worship must have a safety and security plan to immediately respond to an active shooter,” he said in a post on X.
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“An active shooter can happen anywhere, and churches, synagogues, and mosques need to take steps to prepare for such a scenario,” he continued.
Judd added that several other churches in recent years have “facilitated plans” and have “become staffed with individuals who are trained to counter an active-shooter,” in response to recent shootings at places of worship.
“We urge congregants: If you see something, or hear something suspicious, then say something. Talk to house of worship leadership and security and notify your local law enforcement agency immediately,” Judd said.
During Sunday’s news conference, Strong confirmed that a plan was in place at the church and saved lives.
“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,” Strong said.
“I would add that the church parishioners and staff members were trained in responding to emergency situations, which also saved lives.”
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