News Summary
A shooting at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan was prevented due to the swift actions of the church staff and security team. The shooter, Brian Browning, engaged in gunfire but was killed during a shootout with armed personnel. The incident occurred while about 150 individuals attended a Vacation Bible School session. One security member was injured but is expected to recover. Authorities are investigating Browning’s background and mental health as a potential motive.
Wayne, Michigan – A shooting at CrossPointe Community Church on Sunday morning was thwarted thanks to the quick actions of the church staff and security team. The incident, which took place at approximately 11:30 a.m., ended with the shooter being killed during an exchange of gunfire with armed church personnel. Police identified the gunman as Brian Anthony Browning, a 31-year-old man from Romulus who had no prior criminal record.
Browning, who had visited the church two or three times over the past year and is the son of a church member, arrived at the church in a silver SUV wearing a tactical vest. He was heavily armed with a long gun, which was identified as an assault-style rifle, a semi-automatic handgun, and more than a dozen fully loaded magazines containing hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
After erratically driving into the church parking lot, Browning began firing his weapon near the church entrance. Members of the church staff, having heard the gunshots, promptly locked the church doors to limit access and prevent further violence. During the chaos, a churchgoer collided with Browning using a pickup truck while he was discharging his firearm.
Following the impact, Browning engaged in a shootout with at least two armed members of the church’s security team. During this encounter, Browning was shot and killed. One member of the church security team sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and required surgery at a local hospital; he is reported to be in stable condition and expected to recover fully.
At the time of the shooting, approximately 150 people were attending a Vacation Bible School presentation inside the church building. Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong commended the heroic actions of the church staff and security team, suggesting that their rapid response likely saved many lives and averted a larger-scale mass shooting.
Local law enforcement and the FBI are currently investigating the incident, though there is currently no evidence to suggest that Browning’s actions were motivated by external factors such as recent military airstrikes in the Middle East. Browning’s home was searched following the shooting, where authorities discovered additional legal firearms, including rifles and semi-automatic handguns, as well as a significant amount of ammunition.
Police are continuing to investigate the background of the shooter, as preliminary assessments indicate that Browning may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. However, the investigation has yet to confirm a definitive motive for the attack. In light of recent years exhibiting increased incidents of violence targeting places of worship, law enforcement agencies remain vigilant and attentive to potential threats.
This shooting incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and security in places of worship. The rapid response of the church staff undoubtedly played a critical role in limiting the impact of an otherwise tragic event.
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Additional Resources
- WXYZ News
- Detroit Free Press
- Fox 2 Detroit
- AP News
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: Shooting Incident
- Google Search: Michigan Church Shooting
- Google Scholar: Mass Shooting Preparedness
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Active Shooter
- Google News: Wayne Michigan Shooting
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
