Be prepared
On June 22, 2025, in Wayne, Michigan, an incident involving a shooting occurred at a church. Fortunately, the presence of a well-trained security team ensured a prompt response. Reports indicate that the shooter was neutralized in the parking lot before entering the building. At the time of this writing, the incident remains under investigation by local authorities and the FBI. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to share some reflections on the key lessons we can all keep in mind.
While much about this shooting remains unknown, we can start learning from it to avoid legal risks if you carry a gun for personal protection.
According to reports, the perpetrator began firing at the church before being struck by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, who witnessed the events, used the vehicle to stop the attack by neutralizing the perpetrator. After the perpetrator was hit by the vehicle, members of the security team responded by firing shots. Key questions include whether being struck by the vehicle was sufficient to stop the attack, whether the shooter was incapacitated or still in possession of weapons and/or firing further rounds, and whether they remained a threat. These questions remain unanswered. Initial reports led to discussions about whether the security team's response was justified based on the perceived continued threat. Some suggested that a jury would likely not convict the security team even if the shooter was already down. However, it is important to recognize that those carrying firearms for personal protection have a duty to cease firing when a threat is no longer imminent. This is not a judgment on the security team's actions, which will be assessed through investigation. They likely responded based on the belief that the threat persisted. Understanding the true nature of a threat in real-time can be challenging.
The importance of having a church security team is clear. When we formed a security team at a previous church, there were many skeptics. However, we remained committed to ensuring the safety of the congregation. This serves as a crucial reminder for churches to prioritize security measures as well as continual training. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with a local pastor and offered my expertise in training individuals within his congregation. We also discussed the development of a security team for the church. He said, "We don't do that here." How disappointing. I wrote a previous blog titled Protecting the Flock which addressed the need as well.
Due to recent world events, it is likely that incidents of this nature will become more common. It is important to take personal protection seriously and ensure that your family and friends are properly trained. The safety of individuals and those around them may be affected in the future.
ABC News
Security guard kills Michigan church gunman preventing ‘large-scale mass shooting’: Police
WXYZ Detroit
The Detroit News
Police credit staffers for stopping gunman at Wayne Co. church: They ‘prevented a mass shooting’
The Guardian
Gunman fatally shot at Michigan church had attended services in the past year
Fox News
Armed gunman shot dead after opening fire at Sunday church service