Fact Check: Truck driver’s intervention delayed gunman, saving lives at church
What We Know
On June 23, 2025, a tragic incident occurred at the CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, where a gunman opened fire outside the church during a service attended by approximately 150 people. According to police reports, the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning, exited his vehicle wearing a tactical vest and armed with a rifle and a handgun. He began firing at the church, injuring one person in the leg before being struck by a pickup truck driven by a parishioner. This intervention allowed church security staff to respond and fatally shoot the gunman, effectively preventing what could have been a larger mass shooting (NPR, ABC News).
Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong stated, "We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church's staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large-scale mass shooting" (NPR). The quick actions of the truck driver and the church staff were crucial in mitigating the potential for greater harm.
Analysis
The claim that a truck driver’s intervention delayed the gunman and saved lives is supported by multiple credible sources. The police chief confirmed that a parishioner struck the gunman with his vehicle as he was firing at the church, which provided critical time for the church's security staff to engage and neutralize the threat (ABC News). This sequence of events highlights the importance of the truck driver's timely action in preventing further casualties.
While some reports initially suggested that a security guard was responsible for stopping the gunman, it has since been clarified that it was indeed the intervention of the truck driver that played a pivotal role (NBC News). The reliability of the sources, including major news outlets like NPR and ABC News, lends credibility to the account of events, as they are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking processes.
However, it is important to note that the gunman's motives remain unclear, and he was reportedly suffering from a mental health crisis (NPR). This context does not diminish the significance of the truck driver’s actions but adds complexity to the overall narrative of the incident.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a truck driver’s intervention delayed the gunman and saved lives at the church is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The timely actions of the truck driver allowed church security to respond effectively, preventing a potentially catastrophic situation. The police and eyewitness accounts confirm that the intervention was crucial in averting further violence.
