A tragic incident unfolded at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, when a man opened fire during a Sunday service, resulting in chaos and panic among the congregation. The suspected gunman, identified as 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning from Romulus, was shot and killed by a security guard after he targeted the church.
Browning, who was reportedly the son of a church member, had attended services there a few times over the past year. Authorities believe he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting. They also noted that his actions did not appear to be related to any ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Witnesses reported that Browning drove erratically outside the church before exiting his vehicle and firing an AR-15 style rifle at the building. He was armed with a semi-automatic handgun and had hundreds of rounds of ammunition with him. Fortunately, a church deacon struck him with a Ford F-150, which gave the church’s security team a crucial moment to respond.
The security team acted quickly, locking the doors to protect the approximately 150 people inside, many of whom were children attending a special vacation Bible school service. As shots rang out, a security guard was injured in the leg but is now in stable condition after surgery.
Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong praised the church staff for their swift actions, stating they likely saved many lives and prevented a larger tragedy. The FBI is also involved, providing support and assistance at the scene.
Following the incident, police executed a search warrant at Browning’s home and discovered additional firearms and ammunition. Remarkably, Browning had no prior criminal record or previous encounters with law enforcement.
This shocking event has left the community shaken, and many are grateful for the quick thinking of the church’s security team that helped avert a potential mass shooting.