An American police chief has hailed volunteer security staff and members of a Detroit church as heroes after they fatally shot a heavily-armed gunman, potentially preventing a large-scale mass shooting.
The head of the police in the Detroit suburb of Wayne, Ryan Strong, said their actions “undoubtedly saved many lives.”
Chaos erupted around Crosspointe Community Church late Sunday morning after a suspect was seen driving a truck erratically outside the church and in the parking lot.
He reportedly then got out of his truck armed with an AR-15 style rifle, a handgun, more than a dozen fully loaded magazines and a tactical vest — and began shooting in the direction of the church, where children were performing on stage.
HOW CHURCH STAFF AND MEMBERS TOOK DOWN A GUNMAN
Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Junior said the gunman was run over by a church member in his vehicle.
The suspect responded by shooting at the vehicle multiple times.
As the confrontation escalated, two members of the church’s volunteer security staff returned fire and fatally shot the gunman within metres of the church entrance.
A church security guard was hit twice in the leg during the exchange and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
SUSPECT POSED SERIOUS THREAT TO CHILDREN SINGING IN CHURCH
The gunman has been identified as 31-year-old Brian Browning whose mother attended the church.
He didn’t have any prior criminal history.
The incident unfolded while children inside the church were performing songs they had learned during Vacation Bible School.
There were around 150 people inside the building at the time.
SOUND OF GUNFIRE CAUSES PANIC INSIDE CHURCH
A livestream video captured the moment the sound of gunfire sent the congregation into a panic.
The children who had been singing on stage were ushered to safety as people screamed and took cover.
Someone could be heard instructing the congregation: “Everybody to the back, please, everybody come to the back. Come to the back.”
CHURCH’S SENIOR PASTOR HAD PREVIOUSLY SPOKEN TO THE GUNMAN
Senior Pastor Kelly said he had encountered Browning on three previous occasions and had engaged him in spiritual conversations.
“I can’t say for sure what was in his heart or mind. He never threatened me directly,” he told the Associated Press.
“But it was clear he was struggling mentally. He believed he was hearing from God, and we talked about that.”
Pastor Kelly added he had been preparing to preach a message about God’s “hand of deliverance” when the attack began.
“We were definitely protected by the hand of God. There is no question in my mind.”
CHURCH SECURITY STAFF ACTED IN LINE WITH SAFETY PROCEDURES
Police chief Strong said Browning was virtually unknown to most of the congregation.
Chief Strong and church officials credited prior emergency training of church staff and volunteers for their rapid response.
Police said they acted swiftly and in line with safety procedures.
One of them was church member Jay Trombley who considers the congregation his family.
CHURCH SECURITY VOLUNTEER REFUSES TO CALL HIMSELF A “HERO”
He told local TV the incident left a deep impact:
“I realise what happened, what my actions did,” he said.
“I will reconcile with the Lord on the time for that. I was protecting His people.”
Mr. Trombley, who refuses to call himself a hero, emphasised a lesson from the experience:
“You are your own first responder. You are the first person on scene. It doesn’t matter if it’s someone trying to hurt you — you are your first responder.”
