An attempted mass shooting at a church in Michigan was thwarted on Sunday morning when a security guard shot and killed an armed man, authorities said. The incident occurred at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, a suburb of Detroit, shortly after the Sunday morning service had begun.
“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,” said Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong during a press conference.
According to the Wayne Police Department, the gunman, later identified as 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning from Romulus, Michigan, arrived around 11:15 a.m. He exited his Nissan truck wearing a tactical vest and carrying a long gun and a handgun before opening fire outside the church.
Several staff members responded quickly. One parishioner reportedly struck the gunman with their vehicle as he fired at the car. Armed members of the church’s security team returned fire, fatally wounding Browning. One security guard was shot in the leg but underwent successful surgery and is expected to recover.
The staff involved have asked not to be publicly identified.
No Criminal Record, Possible Mental Health Crisis
Police say Browning had no criminal history and had attended two or three services at the church over the past year. His mother is a current member of the congregation. Authorities believe the suspect may have been experiencing a mental health crisis, though his exact motives remain unknown.
Michigan State Police brought a bomb-sniffing dog and bomb squad to the scene as a precaution, but no explosives were found, police said.
The FBI and other federal agencies are assisting with the investigation. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that teams are on the ground providing support and collecting evidence.
Incident Unrelated to Conflict in Middle East, Officials Say
The shooting came amid a heightened national threat environment following recent U.S. military strikes in Iran, which reportedly targeted several nuclear facilities. In response, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of potential retaliatory cyberattacks or domestic violence by extremist individuals.
However, police emphasized that there is no evidence connecting the Wayne church attack to events in the Middle East.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a statement urging vigilance during global instability:
“The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict brings the possibility of increased threat to the homeland... including cyberattacks, acts of violence, and antisemitic hate crimes.”
Ongoing Investigation, Public Urged to Stay Alert
The Department of Homeland Security continues to urge the public to report any suspicious behavior as investigations proceed.
The swift response of church staff is being credited with preventing what could have been a far more tragic event. Law enforcement officials have not released the names of the security guard or other responders.
The investigation remains ongoing with support from local, state, and federal agencies.
