Gunman at Church Doors Shot Dead by Security
On a calm Sunday morning in a quiet Michigan suburb, a familiar face returned to a house of worship — but this time, he wasn't there to pray. What followed was a confrontation that could have ended in tragedy for more than one family if not for the quick thinking of everyday people acting in the face of terror.
A Quiet Morning Turns Chaotic
Just after 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025, chaos erupted outside CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan. A man in camouflage clothing and a tactical vest was spotted in the parking lot behaving erratically and arming himself from a silver SUV. Within minutes, 911 calls reported gunfire.
The armed individual was identified as 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning of Romulus, Michigan. According to Wayne police, Browning had no prior criminal history or known encounters with law enforcement, but detectives suggested he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Connection to the Church
Browning wasn't a stranger to CrossPointe. His mother, who regularly attended, had been baptized at the church. Browning had joined her for services two or three times over the last year, most recently in February, according to both the church pastor and police.
Church Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. said Browning had once spoken with him about religious concerns. The conversation was "positive," and Kelly recalled Browning being in "a good mood" during his last visit, according to NBC News.
A Deadly Confrontation
On that Sunday, things took a deadly turn. Browning was armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle, a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, more than a dozen loaded magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition — all legally acquired, police said.
According to eyewitnesses, Browning exited his vehicle and began walking toward the church. Before he could reach the building, a parishioner in a pickup truck struck him in an attempt to stop his approach. Church security, alerted by the sounds of gunfire, sprang into action. They locked the doors to protect the over 100 people inside and engaged Browning in an armed confrontation just outside the church's entrance.
One security team member was shot in the leg and later hospitalized in stable condition after surgery.
Browning was shot and killed at the scene. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead by Wayne Fire Rescue.
What Police Found Next
Police later searched Browning's home and uncovered even more weapons and ammunition. Officials emphasized that there was no evidence linking the incident to any Middle East conflict or terrorist group, despite speculation given recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran.
The church's livestream, which had been broadcasting the service online, was taken down following the incident. It reportedly showed congregants ducking and fleeing as the confrontation unfolded.
A Community in Reflection
Afterward, Pastor Kelly spoke to Browning's mother, whom he described as deeply distraught. "We don't hold anything against her," Kelly said, according to NBC News.
A congregant who helped usher children to safety said the church's recently implemented security training likely prevented a mass tragedy. "Praise the Lord, we all got out safely," he wrote in an email to the Detroit Free Press.
Authorities continue to investigate what led Browning — a man with no prior record, no known enemies, and a history of peaceful church attendance — to return to CrossPointe with a car full of weapons and intent to do harm.
References: He and His Mother Attended Same Michigan Church. Then He Showed Up with a Rifle — But Congregants Thought Fast | Police Identify Wayne Church Gunman, Say Mental Health Crisis May Have Played Role | Police Identify Michigan Church Shooting Suspect as Local Man Who Attended with His Mother
