The chilling moment when families at a church service fled for their lives was captured on livestream as an active shooter opened fire.
At CrossPointe Church in Wayne, Michigan, the Sunday morning service turned into chaos when a 31-year-old white man, according to police, crashed his Ford F-150 truck into the church and began shooting at the fear-stricken people inside.
Deputy Chief Finley Carter III of the Michigan Police Department mentioned that the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed while investigations into the motive are ongoing.
The department confirmed the unnamed suspect was killed at the scene by the church’s security guard. One victim was shot in the leg.
The bloodcurdling video, first published by NBC affiliate, ClickOnDetroit, showed churchgoers suddenly realize the unfolding terror and run towards the door.
Young children were seen on the stage and in the pews with their parents, before one member directed the congregation to ‘get down’ and run to the back of the building.
Chilling screams ‘come on, come on’ were heard as kids and adults fled for their lives, followed by a loud bang and shouting off-screen.
A spokesperson for the police department said multiple agencies are investigating the scene and have urged residents to stay away from the area.
The bloodcurdling video showed churchgoers suddenly realizing the unfolding terror and running towards the door at CrossPointe Church in Wayne, Michigan
Pictured: CrossPointe Church in Wayne, Michigan
A livestream video of the chilling moment revealed how the congregation escaped the shocking scene
The shooting occurred around 11:15 am, about a half hour after the service began. It’s unclear if anyone aside from the gunman was killed in the gunfire.
The Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Dan Bongino, shared a statement on X that his department was on the ground providing ‘assistance and investigative support’ in Wayne.
One of the church’s senior pastors Bobby Kelly Jr., told The Detroit News, that a member ran the shooter over, giving the security guard a chance to shoot them.
‘He [the suspect] was run over by one of our members who saw this happening when he was coming into church,’ the pastor said.
Kelly added that there were around 150 people in attendance for the vacation Bible school service. Many of the attendees were children.
The pastor said that when the congregation initially heard noises outside, they thought it was from construction.
Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. told local news that there were around 150 people in church when the shooting broke out
The suspect’s identity and motive remains unclear at this time as police continue to investigate
Multiple agencies, including the FBI, have arrived in Wayne to assist local law enforcement with the investigation
He said that the church decided to hire a security team over a decade ago in response to accelerated violence against places of worship.
Kelly said they felt like ‘sitting ducks’ without protection. The congregation’s leadership is planning a meeting to put together a plan for dealing with the tragedy’s aftermath.
When asked about the children who witnessed the tragic events, he said they were ‘doing good’ and that the congregation was coming together to support one another.
The church’s official schedule had events listed from 9 am to 6 pm. CrossPointe also hosts Adult & Teen Sunday School and Kids Sunday School at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 am.
Wendy Bodin, a witness at the church, told ClickOnDetroit, that she was in the lobby answering a phone call when she saw the attacker.
‘It was the scariest thing I’ve ever been involved in,’ Bodin recalled.
She said she initially thought the shooter just crashed his car but then fled to the bathroom when she heard gunshots.
The chaotic scene unfolded during a service at CrossPointe Church. Community members are pictured gathering outside after the shocking sequence of events
Police have yet to confirm the extent of the injuries of those involved or identify the suspect
Bodin hid out in the bathroom with another person and then eventually fled the building to meet up with the congregation in the woods.
‘I was hiding in one of the bathrooms and stood on the toilet and shut the door. We didn’t know what was going on, but we knew it was bad.’
She said she was grateful to the security team and the church leaders for following protocol.
‘Fortunately they got everyone out of the building safe. We did have one man for sure got shot in the leg, but he’s OK, from what I’ve been told. So. Praise God,’ she added.
Bodin added that the church held services outside last weekend for Father’s Day and was grateful the attack didn’t happen then.
