Brian Anthony Browning – A man who was fatally shot by a security guard after opening fire outside a Michigan church during a Sunday service has been identified as 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning of Romulus. According to the Wayne Police Department, Browning was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a semi-automatic handgun, both equipped with extended magazines, and carried hundreds of rounds of ammunition along with more than a dozen additional magazines.
Police confirmed that Browning occasionally attended services at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, a suburb of Detroit, alongside his mother, who is a member of the congregation. Authorities said Browning had been to the church two or three times in the past year. Investigators now believe he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting. He had no known criminal history or prior interactions with the Wayne Police Department.
The motive for the attack remains unknown. Police emphasized there is no indication the shooting was connected to international events or ideological motives, such as the recent Middle East-related incidents that have sparked violence in other parts of the U.S.
The incident unfolded just after 11 a.m. Sunday when police received reports of a man in camouflage gear and a tactical vest driving erratically in the church parking lot in a silver SUV. Soon after, 911 calls reported that the suspect had fired a weapon outside the church.
A quick-thinking churchgoer driving a pickup truck witnessed the shooting and intentionally struck the gunman with his vehicle. According to Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr., this act gave the church’s security team the opportunity to respond. The church’s front doors were locked, preventing the shooter from entering, and the armed security team engaged the suspect outside.
During the exchange of gunfire, a security team member was shot twice in the leg. He was transported to a nearby hospital and underwent successful surgery. His injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening, and he was in stable condition.
Browning was shot and killed at the scene by the church’s security team. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead by Wayne Fire Rescue. Despite shots being fired into the building, no other church members were injured.
A search of Browning’s home revealed a significant weapons cache, including additional rifles, handguns, and large quantities of ammunition.
Footage from a livestream of the church service, showing members ducking and running for safety, was confirmed to be authentic by police. Authorities praised the actions of the church security team and members for their bravery and quick response, crediting them with preventing what could have been a much more devastating mass shooting.
Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong commended the “heroic actions” of staff that likely saved many lives. State Senator Darrin Camilleri also expressed deep concern, stating it was “deeply disturbing” that a house of worship would be targeted in such a violent attack.