Latest news with #CrossPointeCommunityChurch
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Yahoo
Michigan church shooter told pastor that he was a prophet and ‘heard from God'
The man accused of attempting to carry out a mass shooting at a church in suburban Detroit had previously debated with the group's pastor about religion, telling him he had 'heard from God.' Months before Brian Browning's attempted attack on Sunday service at the CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, he had visited to debate with Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr, Fox 2 Detroit reports. Speaking the day after Browning's planned rampage was thwarted by church security, Kelly said the 31-year-old man had said he was a prophet. 'He said he heard from God,' the pastor said on Monday. Recalling their first meeting earlier this year, Kelly said: 'He had some questions about the Bible. He kind of challenged me on some things in the Bible, and so we went back and forth about some scripture for a little bit.' At a second meeting in February, it became apparent that the man was seeking help, said the pastor: 'He seemed to be genuine about needing some help.' He continued: 'I don't know exactly what it was, cause he didn't say — didn't say it was mental health. He didn't say it was an issue that he had or any of that, he just said you know, 'can you help me with some things?' and I said sure.' Browning also had a family connection to CrossPointe Community Church. His mother had been a member of the group for months, which Kelly confirmed. 'She was recently baptized at one of our services, I believe in October of last year, and we've been knowing her for many years,' he said. Despite these connections to the church, it is not clear why Browning, who had no prior criminal history, allegedly attempted a mass shooting of parishioners. He was armed with a handgun, an AR-15, and 500 rounds of ammunition, according to police. His motive remains unknown. There was no connection to military strikes in the Middle East, as had been suggested online, given the timing of his actions, the morning after U.S. bombers attacked Iranian nuclear sites, amid Israel's war on Iran. Browning was shot dead by church security guards, having been run down by a Ford SUV driven by the church's deacon. One of the security guards sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. City of Wayne Police spent hours on Sunday investigating the scene before reporting details in the evening. Browning was formally identified some hours later. Police chief Ryan Strong thanked those present for their quick reaction to the threat, saying: "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.'
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
CrossPointe Church security guard who shot at gunman says "10 years of training led to this moment"
Quick reactions by the security team and a church member in the parking lot are attributed to limiting the danger of a gunman on campus Sunday at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan. The suspect, Brian Anthony Browning, 31, of Romulus, was killed at the scene. He was wearing a tactical vest, armed with an AR-15 style rifle and a semiautomatic handgun. The sound of gunfire sent those who were inside for a morning service running for safety. "It was all handled by our security and safety team, which was a blessing to have in place, and we've had that for several years now," Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. said Monday. Also on Monday, Jay Trombley, one of the security team members, related what he saw outside. The scene he described was of multiple staff and church members realizing about the same time, that a dangerous situation had erupted, with the combined efforts resulting in the shooting death of the suspect, families kept safe and law enforcement quickly responding. Trombley said he was inside the building, while another security team member happened to be outside at the time the gunman approached. The security team has participated in numerous in-house and off-site training workshops on protecting worship sites, relying on the expertise of local law enforcement and firearms experts. One of those training sessions, which he described as a refresher for the team, took place just last week. "If you train enough, it's just muscle memory. You don't think about it," Trombley said. "Yes, 10 years of training led to this moment." In this case, Trombley said he learned of the threat as gunshots were heard and a woman ran inside with her family, saying she had seen a weapon. He took a look outside the door to see what was going on. Bullets were ringing as another security team member tried to take cover around an air conditioning unit. Bullet holes were seen later around the air conditioning unit. In the meantime, another church member who was in the parking lot realized there was a danger and struck the suspect with his Ford F-150 truck. What wasn't clear at first was that two of the three security team members on duty that day were trying to deal with the shooter, according to Trombley's account. He and the other team members were in different locations. The team member who was outside was injured in the shooting. But Trombley realized the shooter saw him. "I looked down the barrel at one point," he recalled. The suspect fell. After the suspect went down, Trombley went toward the man, covered him with his firearm, and was able to push both the rifle and handgun away from the suspect. Trombley thought at first that his weapon took down the suspect, but he has since learned that detail is under investigation. It could have been the other security member who was already outside. "I haven't heard official news from the law enforcement on who may have actually taken the shot," Trombley said. Gunfire aside, he appreciated the efforts of the church member with the vehicle. "We were carrying firearms and he was driving an F-150 and, you know, it worked just as well as what we had," Trombley said about the vehicle assault. In the aftermath, Trombley said he learned this may have been the first attempted shooting at a church in the United States where the only fatality was the shooter. The suspect's mother is a member of the church. He had attended services there two or three times in the past year, and the pastor recalled speaking with him on one occasion. He did not have a criminal history or previous contacts with the Wayne Police Department. "We are extremely encouraged by the response from several local churches, grief counseling agencies who have reached out to assist. We will be taking advantage of as much as we can to help us move forward. But most importantly, thank you for all of your many prayers. They are much needed at this time," the church said in an official statement later. The incident remains under investigation.
CNN
23-06-2025
- CNN
Man who opened fire outside a Michigan church had attended services there with his mom, pastor says
Crime Gun violenceFacebookTweetLink Follow The man who opened fire outside a Michigan church filled with worshippers before he was struck by a vehicle and fatally shot by security staff had attended services there a few times with his mother, the lead pastor said Monday. Brian Anthony Browning's mother attended the CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne in spurts but was not a regular member, Pastor Bobby Kelly said. She was not there Sunday, said Kelly, who recalled meeting her son late last year. 'He first came when his mother invited him, and I met him,' Kelly said. 'He seemed to really have some thoughts that were not threatening or anything like that, but he definitely had some thoughts as far as hearing from God.' Children from the church's vacation Bible school were leading Sunday's worship and were just finishing up their last song when the congregation heard gunfire outside. Kelly, who was about to start his sermon, initially thought the noise was a jackhammer or a problem with the sound system. 'The third time is when we knew something was going on, because it was very close, and then one of our security team members came into the sanctuary doors from the lobby and told everyone to get out,' he said. A livestream video shows people carrying children or directing them to get down and move away. 'C'mon, everybody to the back,' a woman calls out. The woman, who was initially crouching between two rows of seats, stands and waves an arm. 'Please, everyone come to the back!' People, some of them ducking their heads, rush out as others can be heard yelling 'Go!' and 'Come on!' A loud crack is heard and people cry out. Those remaining run and walk quickly out of sight. Browning, 31, did not have any previous contacts with local police or a criminal history but may have been suffering a mental health crisis, the Wayne Police Department said in a news release. Kelly said a church member arriving late to the service spotted Browning driving recklessly and called out to him as he exited his car wearing a tactical vest and carrying a rifle and a handgun. The church member struck Browning with his pickup truck. 'He is a hero,' Kelly said of the parishioner. 'I think that was the Lord leading him to do that. He hit this individual with his car, drove right on the grass because he was shooting at the building at the time. And that certainly helped the team to be able to respond.' The man began firing as he approached the church, striking one person in the leg. At least two staff members shot him, Police Chief Ryan Strong said. About 150 people were inside the church at the time. '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,' the chief said at a news conference Sunday night. One member of the security team was shot in the leg and was listed in stable condition at a hospital after undergoing surgery, the news release said. No one else was hurt. Wayne is a city of about 17,000 people located about 25 miles west of Detroit. Police executing a search warrant at Browning's home in Romulus, about 5 miles south of Wayne, found additional rifles, several more handguns and a large amount of ammunition, the news release said. Browning's mother did not respond to a Facebook message sent Sunday by The Associated Press. Worshipper Wendy Bodin said she heard a loud 'boom' and when she looked outside, she saw a man sprawled out on the grass in front of the church. 'I thought he got hit or crashed his car or was hurt,' Bodin told WXYZ-TV. 'And another lady saw and pointed to me and said, 'Oh my, call 911!'' Kelly, who has been pastor for about 10 years, had intended to preach about God's 'hand of deliverance' and His ability to save and protect. In drawing up the church calendar, he originally planned to have two outdoor services in June but months ago decided to only do one, on Father's Day. 'We weren't outside yesterday when we would have been,' he said. 'We were definitely protected by the hand of God, there is no question about it.'
CNN
23-06-2025
- CNN
Man who opened fire outside a Michigan church had attended services there with his mom, pastor says
Crime Gun violenceFacebookTweetLink Follow The man who opened fire outside a Michigan church filled with worshippers before he was struck by a vehicle and fatally shot by security staff had attended services there a few times with his mother, the lead pastor said Monday. Brian Anthony Browning's mother attended the CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne in spurts but was not a regular member, Pastor Bobby Kelly said. She was not there Sunday, said Kelly, who recalled meeting her son late last year. 'He first came when his mother invited him, and I met him,' Kelly said. 'He seemed to really have some thoughts that were not threatening or anything like that, but he definitely had some thoughts as far as hearing from God.' Children from the church's vacation Bible school were leading Sunday's worship and were just finishing up their last song when the congregation heard gunfire outside. Kelly, who was about to start his sermon, initially thought the noise was a jackhammer or a problem with the sound system. 'The third time is when we knew something was going on, because it was very close, and then one of our security team members came into the sanctuary doors from the lobby and told everyone to get out,' he said. A livestream video shows people carrying children or directing them to get down and move away. 'C'mon, everybody to the back,' a woman calls out. The woman, who was initially crouching between two rows of seats, stands and waves an arm. 'Please, everyone come to the back!' People, some of them ducking their heads, rush out as others can be heard yelling 'Go!' and 'Come on!' A loud crack is heard and people cry out. Those remaining run and walk quickly out of sight. Browning, 31, did not have any previous contacts with local police or a criminal history but may have been suffering a mental health crisis, the Wayne Police Department said in a news release. Kelly said a church member arriving late to the service spotted Browning driving recklessly and called out to him as he exited his car wearing a tactical vest and carrying a rifle and a handgun. The church member struck Browning with his pickup truck. 'He is a hero,' Kelly said of the parishioner. 'I think that was the Lord leading him to do that. He hit this individual with his car, drove right on the grass because he was shooting at the building at the time. And that certainly helped the team to be able to respond.' The man began firing as he approached the church, striking one person in the leg. At least two staff members shot him, Police Chief Ryan Strong said. About 150 people were inside the church at the time. '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,' the chief said at a news conference Sunday night. One member of the security team was shot in the leg and was listed in stable condition at a hospital after undergoing surgery, the news release said. No one else was hurt. Wayne is a city of about 17,000 people located about 25 miles west of Detroit. Police executing a search warrant at Browning's home in Romulus, about 5 miles south of Wayne, found additional rifles, several more handguns and a large amount of ammunition, the news release said. Browning's mother did not respond to a Facebook message sent Sunday by The Associated Press. Worshipper Wendy Bodin said she heard a loud 'boom' and when she looked outside, she saw a man sprawled out on the grass in front of the church. 'I thought he got hit or crashed his car or was hurt,' Bodin told WXYZ-TV. 'And another lady saw and pointed to me and said, 'Oh my, call 911!'' Kelly, who has been pastor for about 10 years, had intended to preach about God's 'hand of deliverance' and His ability to save and protect. In drawing up the church calendar, he originally planned to have two outdoor services in June but months ago decided to only do one, on Father's Day. 'We weren't outside yesterday when we would have been,' he said. 'We were definitely protected by the hand of God, there is no question about it.'
CNN
23-06-2025
- CNN
Man who opened fire outside a Michigan church had attended services there with his mom, pastor says
The man who opened fire outside a Michigan church filled with worshippers before he was struck by a vehicle and fatally shot by security staff had attended services there a few times with his mother, the lead pastor said Monday. Brian Anthony Browning's mother attended the CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne in spurts but was not a regular member, Pastor Bobby Kelly said. She was not there Sunday, said Kelly, who recalled meeting her son late last year. 'He first came when his mother invited him, and I met him,' Kelly said. 'He seemed to really have some thoughts that were not threatening or anything like that, but he definitely had some thoughts as far as hearing from God.' Children from the church's vacation Bible school were leading Sunday's worship and were just finishing up their last song when the congregation heard gunfire outside. Kelly, who was about to start his sermon, initially thought the noise was a jackhammer or a problem with the sound system. 'The third time is when we knew something was going on, because it was very close, and then one of our security team members came into the sanctuary doors from the lobby and told everyone to get out,' he said. A livestream video shows people carrying children or directing them to get down and move away. 'C'mon, everybody to the back,' a woman calls out. The woman, who was initially crouching between two rows of seats, stands and waves an arm. 'Please, everyone come to the back!' People, some of them ducking their heads, rush out as others can be heard yelling 'Go!' and 'Come on!' A loud crack is heard and people cry out. Those remaining run and walk quickly out of sight. Browning, 31, did not have any previous contacts with local police or a criminal history but may have been suffering a mental health crisis, the Wayne Police Department said in a news release. Kelly said a church member arriving late to the service spotted Browning driving recklessly and called out to him as he exited his car wearing a tactical vest and carrying a rifle and a handgun. The church member struck Browning with his pickup truck. 'He is a hero,' Kelly said of the parishioner. 'I think that was the Lord leading him to do that. He hit this individual with his car, drove right on the grass because he was shooting at the building at the time. And that certainly helped the team to be able to respond.' The man began firing as he approached the church, striking one person in the leg. At least two staff members shot him, Police Chief Ryan Strong said. About 150 people were inside the church at the time. '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,' the chief said at a news conference Sunday night. One member of the security team was shot in the leg and was listed in stable condition at a hospital after undergoing surgery, the news release said. No one else was hurt. Wayne is a city of about 17,000 people located about 25 miles west of Detroit. Police executing a search warrant at Browning's home in Romulus, about 5 miles south of Wayne, found additional rifles, several more handguns and a large amount of ammunition, the news release said. Browning's mother did not respond to a Facebook message sent Sunday by The Associated Press. Worshipper Wendy Bodin said she heard a loud 'boom' and when she looked outside, she saw a man sprawled out on the grass in front of the church. 'I thought he got hit or crashed his car or was hurt,' Bodin told WXYZ-TV. 'And another lady saw and pointed to me and said, 'Oh my, call 911!'' Kelly, who has been pastor for about 10 years, had intended to preach about God's 'hand of deliverance' and His ability to save and protect. In drawing up the church calendar, he originally planned to have two outdoor services in June but months ago decided to only do one, on Father's Day. 'We weren't outside yesterday when we would have been,' he said. 'We were definitely protected by the hand of God, there is no question about it.'
