Church Security Guard Stops Attacker During Michigan Sunday Service
WAYNE, Mich.—June 22, 2025 Pop. Pop. Pop. The sounds ripped through hymns and prayers at CrossPointe Community Church on Sunday morning. In seconds, a routine worship service became a fight for survival ending only when a security guard’s bullet stopped an armed attacker at the door.
The Attack Unfolds
At 11:15 a.m., as 150 congregants including dozens of children listened to Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr.’s sermon, a 31-year-old gunman drove his truck toward the church entrance and opened fire. Bullets pierced the building’s exterior as panicked worshippers scrambled for cover. Livestream footage captured shouts of “Everybody to the back!” before a final deafening bang silenced the gunfire.
Witness Wendy Bodin, hiding in a bathroom stall, described the terror, “I stood on a toilet and held the door shut. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced”
Heroes in the Chaos
Two actions saved lives:
The Deacon’s Truck: A church member, identified only as a deacon, rammed the shooter with his vehicle, pinning him momentarily.
The Guard’s Stand: An armed security guard, despite a gunshot wound to his leg, fired the fatal shot that killed the attacker.
Pastor Kelly later revealed the guard had trained for this exact scenario. “He took a bullet doing his job,” Kelly said, “and because he did, our children are safe”
Why Security Mattered
CrossPointe established its volunteer security team a decade ago, responding to rising violence at U.S. houses of worship. Their protocols including armed guards and evacuation drills prevented a broader tragedy Sunday. “Without them, we’re sitting ducks,” Kelly admitted to the Detroit News 12.
The team’s preparation showed:
Ushers swiftly guided families to safe zones
Parents shielded children with their bodies during the gunfire
Medics stabilized the wounded guard until paramedics arrived
The Aftermath
By noon, FBI agents joined Wayne police at the Glenwood Road church. Deputy Chief Finley Carter III confirmed the shooter’s identity but found “no clear motive yet”. Investigators reviewed the livestream footage showing congregants fleeing through back exits and gathering in nearby woods.
The wounded security guard underwent surgery for his leg injury and is expected to recover. No other physical injuries were reported, though trauma lingers. “Kids kept asking if the ‘bad noise’ would come back,” said Kelly, who plans to implement counseling support.
A National Conversation Renewed
The attack reignited debates on church safety in America:
Armed Guards: Experts noted this is the 4th U.S. church shooting since 2022 stopped by trained security.
Architecture: CrossPointe’s design with buffer zones between parking and sanctuary prevented the shooter from entering.
Community Vigilance: “See something, say something isn’t just for airports,” stressed security consultant Javier Cruz. “Churches are soft targets”
Sunday’s Unanswered Questions
Authorities continue investigating:
Why a man with no known ties to the church targeted it
Whether he acted alone
How he acquired his weapons
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed federal resources are assisting local police
“We Rebuild”
By sunset, congregants gathered outside the bullet-marked church. They stacked flowers near tire tracks where the deacon’s truck had halted the gunman. Pastor Kelly embraced tearful families, repeating: “Evil didn’t win today”.
As investigators packed evidence bags, 8-year-old Elijah Thompson tugged his mother’s sleeve. “Can we come back next Sunday?” he asked. She nodded, squeezing his hand. For CrossPointe, worship won’t stop,but it will never be the same.
