According to the church and police, a member of the congregation drove the shooter over in a Ford F-150 truck, and a security guard shot and killed the gunman at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday at a church in suburban Detroit.
Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. of CrossPointe Community Church reported that a security guard had time to kill the armed assailant outside the church, which is situated at 36125 Glenwood Road in the city of Wayne, after a deacon ran the shooter over.
As he was entering the church, one of our members noticed what was occurring and ran him over, Kelly recalled.
Kelly reported that no other churchgoers were hurt, but a security man was shot in the leg.
According to a Sunday email from Wayne Police Deputy Chief Finley Carter, the suspect in the shooting is a 31-year-old man, and officers are currently looking into the incident. Kelly claimed that although he did not know who the shooter was, the assailant did not seem to be a member.
Kelly reported that multiple shots were fired into the church, but the assailant did not enter the structure.
According to Kelly, the shooting happened on Sunday during a special vacation Bible school program that had about 150 attendees, including more kids than normal.
He claimed that after hearing sounds that many believed to be construction-related, the congregation continued worship until a security guard told them to leave.
A brief snippet of a church service video shows some attendees starting to leave. More others follow after a woman at the front asks, “Please, everyone come to the back.”
A few people scream when a clicking sound is heard, and everyone else in the room quickly leaves.
Although the Wayne church has not received any threats of violence, Kelly said members of CrossPointe Community Church established a security team about ten years ago in response to violence at other places of worship across the United States.
Kelly stated, “We are sitting ducks for someone who wants to come and do harm.”
Kelly said that members are banding together to support one another and that the youngsters in attendance on Sunday are doing well.
“To establish a formal plan for the aftermath, we will be gathering our leadership,” Kelly stated.
A white pickup with its top popped was parked outside the church on Sunday afternoon, and police tape prevented entrance.
In addition to at least one ambulance and one fire truck, at least ten police cars from the Wayne County Sheriff’s office, Michigan State Police, and Wayne and Dearborn police were parked in front of the church.
The Detroit News/Summer Ballentine
