At approximately 11:06 a.m. on June 22, a 31‑year‑old Romulus resident, later identified as Brian Anthony Browning, arrived at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Mich., in what has been described as tactical gear and camouflage. Witnesses reported Browning firing rounds near a church service, armed with at least two firearms, more than a dozen loaded magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
As Browning opened fire, chaos erupted inside. Congregants fled, with one parishioner later recounting, “I started hearing ‘pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,’ and I just booked it to the bathroom … we heard footsteps running and a lot of gunshots.”
While still in the parking lot, the attacker was reportedly struck by one churchgoer with a vehicle, and security within the church locked the entrances. Two armed church staff members also responded engaging Browning near the entrance and ultimately neutralizing him. Browning died at the scene; one guard sustained a non‑life‑threatening leg wound and was treated at a nearby hospital.
The Wayne Police Department and Chief Ryan Strong praised the swift actions: “We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church’s staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large‑scale mass shooting.”
CrossPointe’s preparedness didn’t occur by accident. Staff and volunteer security teams had undergone active-shooter training and were equipped with firearms on-site. When seconds mattered most, their readiness made the difference between tragedy and survival. Chief Strong reinforced that point by saying, “The church parishioners and staff members were trained in responding to emergencies, which also saved lives.”
Such training and preparation can be important, as law enforcement cannot always arrive in time for a potential mass-casualty event. Armed citizens, exercising their constitutional right, often serve as the first line of defense against those determined to commit acts of violence. This is especially critical in vulnerable settings like schools, houses of worship and community gatherings.
Authorities believe Browning intended to commit a mass-casualty attack. He brought multiple firearms along with many loaded magazines and tactical gear, suggesting forethought and readiness to inflict maximum harm.
Though Browning had no prior criminal record, investigators have suggested he may have been experiencing a mental‑health crisis. While motives remain unclear, the response of armed civilians came just in time.
This incident echoes other high‑profile cases where armed citizens or volunteer security teams prevented greater loss of life. Notable examples include the West Freeway Church of Christ shooting in Texas (2019), where Jack Wilson, a volunteer security member, confronted and stopped an attacker minutes into the assault. More recently, off-duty officers at Houston’s Lakewood Church stopped a criminal before mass casualties could occur.
In each case, individuals exercising their right to bear arms stepped into harm’s way to protect their community.
Leaders at all levels are now urging places of worship to adopt safety protocols, including training and arming qualified security volunteers. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd reminded congregations nationwide that they should be prepared for violent threats with diligence and forethought.
What unfolded at CrossPointe could easily have ended in disaster. Instead, armed preparedness and decisive action wrote a different ending—one where lives were spared because free individuals chose to protect their community.
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