Fact Check: "Security guard shot while responding to church shooting incident."
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, a shooting incident occurred outside the CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, during a service attended by approximately 150 people, including children participating in a Vacation Bible School. A man, armed with a rifle and a handgun, opened fire outside the church, injuring one parishioner in the leg. The situation escalated when a church member struck the gunman with a vehicle, which allowed security staff to respond effectively. Two church staff members then shot and killed the gunman, preventing further casualties (AP News, New York Times).
The injured parishioner was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and police indicated that the gunman appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis, with no known connection to the church (Fox News, Detroit News).
Analysis
The claim that a "security guard shot while responding to church shooting incident" is misleading. While it is true that a security staff member was involved in the shooting, the reports consistently indicate that the security staff shot the gunman after he had already opened fire and was incapacitated by being struck by a vehicle. The police chief confirmed that all gunfire occurred outside the church, and the security staff acted heroically to neutralize the threat (AP News, ABC News).
The sources reporting on the incident, including major news outlets like the Associated Press and the New York Times, are generally reliable and well-established. However, the phrasing of the claim could lead to confusion regarding the sequence of events and the roles of those involved. The term "security guard shot" implies that the guard was injured or shot at, which is not supported by the evidence presented in the reports. Instead, the security staff successfully shot the gunman without sustaining injuries themselves (Detroit News, Fox News).
Conclusion
The claim that a "security guard shot while responding to church shooting incident" is False. The reports indicate that the security staff acted to stop the shooter, and there is no evidence to suggest that any security personnel were shot during the incident. The narrative surrounding the event has been misrepresented, leading to potential misunderstandings about the actions taken by the church staff and the nature of the incident.
Sources
- Suspect shot and killed after shooting at church in Michigan, police ...
- Michigan Church Shooting Leaves at Least 1 Injured and Gunman Dead ...
- Security guard kills shooter at Wayne Michigan church, one person ...
- Security guard kills active shooter at Michigan church, police say
- Suspect shot and killed by security guard after shooting at church in ...
- Security guard kills Michigan church gunman, preventing ...
