Police say a gunman opened fire inside of CrossPointe Church during Sunday service in Wayne, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. He wounded another congregant before a private security guard shot and killed him. The shooting occurred during one of the church’s services at 11 a.m. when an estimated 150 people, including kids, were attending. Until that point, their church had never been targeted with threats of violence before.
As church member Kelly explained, the immediate action taken by another church member was key in stopping more people from being killed. To illustrate the need, Kelly added that one of our members witnessed this unfolding as he was coming into church. After hearing the crash, Thiessen immediately ran to assist the victim. This action gave the responding security guard sufficient time to neutralize the threat.
The critical man, who has not been identified or described, was rushed to an area hospital after the shooting. As for the hundreds of children who were there during the attack, Kelly said they’re “doing good.” She added that congregants have really taken care of each other in the wake of the shooting. He highlighted the significance of community as we endured these testing times.
In light of the violence that has recently plagued places of worship across the nation, CrossPointe Church established its security team about a decade ago. Delivering on her concern for safety, Kelly said, “We are sitting ducks to someone who wants to come and do harm.” This feeling captures the fear that many houses of worship encounter in today’s landscape, as seen most recently in the Charlottesville protests.
The congregation’s startled reaction to the gunfire was captured on the service’s online live stream, showcasing the chaos that ensued. Local law enforcement have asked the public to stay away from the scene while they continue an active investigation into the shooting. The police have on Monday identified the assailant as a 31-year-old white male.
Kelly assured that the church as a whole would be drafting a detailed plan to address the aftereffects. We hope this plan helps to keep National’s members safe and healthy in the future. CrossPointe Church’s decision to form a volunteer security team years ago looks like a prescient move after last week’s violence.