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Background

On Sunday, 28 September 2025 during the morning worship service, a gunman attacked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints (LDS) meetinghouse on McCandlish Road in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. The township is a suburb roughly 50 miles north of Detroit. This summary pulls together information from police statements and vetted news reports. Reports consistently note that the attack occurred at approximately 10:25 a.m. local time and involved both gunfire and an intentional arson attack. The assailant was a 40‑year‑old male from Burton, Michigan. Law enforcement officials state that he drove a vehicle through the church’s front entrance, opened fire on congregants and then set the building on fire. Responding officers shot and killed the suspect at the scene.

Incident Overview

* Attack method – According to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, the perpetrator rammed a vehicle into the front door of the LDS meetinghouse, exited the vehicle with a semi automatic rifle and began firing on the worshippers. Police say the attacker then deliberately ignited a fire, which quickly engulfed part of the building and impeded escape. Flames and smoke could be seen for hours, and first responders had to extinguish the fire before fully searching the churchwcvb.com.

* Response – Officers were on scene quickly. They engaged the gunman, fatally shooting him. The Grand Blanc Township Police Department posted on social media that “there are multiple victims and the shooter is down. There is no threat to the public at this time. The church is actively on fire.” The statement indicated that the shooter acted alone and that there was no ongoing threat to the community.

* Casualties – Early reports from WXYZ Detroit indicated at least two fatalities, including the suspect, and nine injuries, several of which were critical. Follow‑up local reporting confirmed that one congregant was killed and nine others were hospitalized, with police cautioning that additional victims might be found once the building was safe to enter. Law enforcement and fire officials later reported that the fire hindered escape and that they expected to discover more victims after the fire was extinguished.

Suspect and Tactics

* Identity – Police initially withheld the suspect’s name but described him as a 40‑year‑old man from Burton, Michigan. Chief Renye said the man used a semi automatic rifle during the attack and drove his vehicle through the church’s wall. He was shot and killed during the police response.

* Vehicle ramming and arson – The attacker used the vehicle both as a breaching tool and an incendiary device. After crashing through the entrance, he lit the building on fire using accelerants (exact method not yet publicly released). Witness accounts and police statements emphasize that the fire prevented people from leaving and complicated rescue.

* Search warrants – Police executed search warrants at the suspect’s home in Burton. There are reports that the FBI sent approximately 100 agents to assist with searching the residence. Investigators are collecting electronic devices, explosives‑related materials and writings to determine motive and whether anyone assisted him. Law enforcement has stated that there is no evidence of additional suspects, and they consider the attacker to have acted alone.

Investigation and Motive

* Motive – As of late September 2025, investigators had not publicly identified a motive. Chief Renye told reporters that police did not yet have a motive for the fire or shooting. The attack occurred a day after the death of LDS President Russell M. Nelson; however, officials have not connected the two events and continue to explore possible ideological, personal or mental‑health factors.

* Federal assistance – The FBI, ATF and state police are participating in the investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that federal agents were on scene assisting local authorities and condemned violence in houses of worship. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is tracing the firearms and examining the arson elements.

* Search for additional victims – Because of the extensive fire damage, police and fire officials expected to locate additional victims once they could safely search the building. As of the most recent updates, only one congregant fatality had been confirmed, but officials warned that the toll might rise.

Implications for Church Safety

This incident illustrates several challenges for security teams protecting houses of worship:

* Vehicle as a weapon: The attacker used a vehicle to breach the building’s entrance. Churches should consider bollards or other physical barriers to deter vehicle‑ramming attacks.

* Dual‑threat tactics: Combining armed assault with arson trapped victims and complicated response. Fire detection, suppression systems and multiple exits can reduce casualties during arson‑involved attacks.

* Rapid response capability: Police neutralized the shooter quickly; however, internal church safety teams should have medical kits, fire extinguishers and evacuation plans to manage the first critical minutes before law enforcement arrives.

* Interagency coordination: The incident required coordination between local police, fire departments and federal agencies. Churches should build relationships with first responders to improve response times and information sharing.

* Mental‑health and threat‑reporting: Authorities continue to examine the suspect’s background for warning signs. Congregations should encourage members to report concerning behaviour so potential threats can be assessed before violence occurs.

Biblical Foundations for Preparedness and Vigilance

Ezekiel 33:6–7 (ESV)“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.”

Explanation: God’s standard for the watchman is clear: warn the people, or be held accountable. Church safety ministries act in that role today, called to recognize danger and protect the flock.

Nehemiah 4:9 (ESV)“And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”

Explanation: Nehemiah shows us that prayer and preparedness work together. Trust in God must be accompanied by wise action, such as guards and readiness.

Proverbs 22:3 (ESV)“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”

Explanation: Wisdom means anticipating danger and taking steps to avoid harm. For a church, that means developing training, plans, and watchfulness.

Luke 21:36 (ESV)“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Explanation: Jesus ties prayer directly to vigilance. Being spiritually and physically alert equips believers to stand strong when trials come.

Scripture calls us to pray, remain vigilant, and take responsibility as watchmen for the church. Preparedness is not fear. It is faith in action, ensuring that the body of Christ can gather safely to worship Him.

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I went live to address the assassination of Charlie Kirk, breaking down what really happened, debunking conspiracy theories, and explaining what this moment means for America, for Christians, and for our churches. I also shared my perspective as a former sniper and team leader on why this was the work of a Lone Wolf actor, and why that makes the threat even more dangerous. If you missed it, you can watch the full replay now.

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On August 2nd, I’ll be teaching a full-day Christian Warrior Academy class in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and I want you to see exactly what to expect before you show up.

What you’re about to watch is a sneak peek—an hour-long video of the active shooter segment from a previous class I taught in Chino Hills, California.

IN PERSON ONLY! IT’S NOT ONLINE

➡️ Click here to register for the Coeur d’Alene training – only 150 seats leftPlease only register if you plan to attend in person.This is a live class only. There will be no livestream or replay.

What You’ll See in This Video

This segment focuses entirely on active shooter threats in church environments. I cover:

* Immediate response tactics when seconds count

* Weapon selection and gear considerations

* Why training matters more than fancy equipment

* Hostage scenarios in children’s ministry areas

* How to handle it when the police aren’t there yet—and may never make it in time

You'll also see how we conduct realistic scenario training, why your team needs to move beyond theory, and how to build protocols that actually hold up when it matters most.

This is not a theory-based class. It's rooted in the kind of tactical experience that only comes from decades in law enforcement and church safety leadership.

Why the Full Class Isn’t Online

The Christian Warrior Academy covers tactics, team formations, and vulnerability points that shouldn’t be in the open. I don’t want bad actors studying how we operate. This one-hour preview is what I can safely share to help you decide if this training is for you.

If you want the full experience, I’ll see you August 2nd in Coeur d'Alene.

This Class Is Free—Here’s Why

This training is made possible by the support of Right to Bear, Candlelight Church, and the generous individuals who have chosen a paid subscription to Christian Warrior Training. Their support allows me to keep producing multiple resources a week to equip safety ministries like yours. And for that, I’m grateful.

If you’ve benefited from this work, and feel led to help others get trained for free, your subscription makes it happen.

Ready to Train?

➡️ Register here for the Coeur d’Alene classOnly register if you can attend in person. This class will not be recorded or streamed.

Train hard. Lead well. Protect the flock.

In His Service,Keith GravesChristian Warrior Training

Help me support churches around the US with critical info like this. A paid subscription makes this happen.

In this live broadcast, I break down the alarming revelation that Iran directly warned President Trump it would activate sleeper cells inside the United States if airstrikes were ordered on its nuclear facilities. That threat is no longer hypothetical. After the U.S. launched "Operation Midnight Hammer," striking key Iranian nuclear sites with B-2 bombers and bunker-buster bombs, the Department of Homeland Security issued a terrorism advisory warning of likely cyberattacks—and the potential for violence on U.S. soil.

This isn’t just a military matter overseas. Churches, synagogues, and government-linked targets here at home are now under elevated threat. DHS specifically warned that religious rulings from Iran could trigger independent violent extremists or Iranian proxies already inside our borders. If you’re part of a church security team, law enforcement, or just someone paying attention—watch the full debrief, and take steps now.

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🔴 A Church Was Just Attacked—This Is Why We Train

This morning, a gunman entered CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan and opened fire during the service. One of the church’s security guards was shot in the leg, but despite being wounded, he returned fire and stopped the attacker with the help of another church member who used his truck to intervene. The suspect was killed. No congregants were harmed, but this incident is another urgent reminder that churches are being targeted—and it’s only escalating.

In this livestream, I break down what happened, why I believe this is the kind of lone-wolf violence we’ve been warning about, and what it means for your church. The threat level in the U.S. is severe right now, especially with war breaking out with Iran and potential activation of sleeper cells. But no matter the source, churches need to be ready. This is not a time for hesitation—it’s a time for courage, training, and biblical vigilance.

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The United States just bombed three nuclear sites inside Iran—officially entering the war. This isn't speculation or hype. It's happening. And according to a former Joint Terrorism Task Force agent I interviewed, that action, combined with the recent death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, activates both known triggers for Hezbollah sleeper cells inside the U.S. There may be as many as 30,000 Hezbollah-linked operatives already here, waiting for the green light. That time could be now.

In this briefing, I’m raising the church security threat level to RED—imminent attack. I’ll explain what led to this escalation, what the intelligence community has known, and what churches and individual Christians must do immediately. This is not fearmongering—it’s biblical watchfulness. It’s about protecting the flock. If you’re part of a safety ministry or you simply want to know how to protect your family, you need to hear this. The time for passive hope is over. It’s time to prepare.

Do you find value from the bulletins I’ve been sending out? Help me protect churches by becoming a paid subscriber.

Israel has officially struck Iran, triggering the very scenario I have been warning about. In this urgent briefing, I’ll break down what this escalation means for U.S. churches—including the real risk of Hezbollah activation inside our borders. With riots planned across the country in response to ICE enforcement, churches face a dual threat: external chaos and embedded enemies. This session outlines what’s happening, what’s next, and what church security teams must do—starting now.

🔗 Referenced briefing: Threat Intelligence Briefing – How Iran’s War Could Hit U.S. Churches🎥 JTTF Interview: Counterterror Agent Exposes Hezbollah’s U.S. Operations

This video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how I stay sharp on solo CQB tactics using a homemade plywood shoot house here in Idaho. It’s not fancy, but it’s functional—and it lets me train for real-world scenarios where help might not be coming.

I run through drills as if I were responding to a home intrusion call, but law enforcement isn’t availab…

Running a church security team is hard enough. Managing scheduling, qualifications, and incident reports with spreadsheets and generic volunteer software only makes the job harder. That’s why I wanted to introduce you to a platform designed specifically for church security—SecureX.

I recently sat down with Gil Rashard, the creator of SecureX, for a full walkthrough of what the platform offers. Gil is one of us. He runs security at a church in Colorado with over 100 team members across five campuses. He built this software out of necessity, and it shows.

Purpose-Built for Church Security

SecureX is not another general-purpose church app. It’s built only for church security teams. That distinction matters. Other church volunteer platforms lump security in with the worship team and parking volunteers. SecureX separates us out and gives us the tools we actually need.

At its core, SecureX is a scheduling and personnel management platform. But it goes well beyond that:

* Customizable training qualifications — Know instantly who’s certified in firearms, CPR, de-escalation, and child protection.

* Smart scheduling — Place the right people in the right roles based on qualifications.

* Incident and alert reporting — Log security incidents and pre-attack indicators in a centralized system that assumes legal scrutiny.

* Service tracking — Know who’s served, how often, and where.

From Sunday morning coverage to midweek events, SecureX streamlines it all.

Real-Time Visibility for Team Leaders

During the demo, Gil showed how SecureX lets you see exactly who’s signed up and what their qualifications are—all in one view. If someone isn’t certified to serve in kids’ ministry or on the pastor’s detail, you’ll know before assigning them. Expired firearm quals? It’ll flag that, too.

This isn’t just helpful—it’s protective. It reduces liability, increases coverage accountability, and ensures your team is properly equipped for their assigned roles.

Incident Reporting Built for Reality

Unlike tools made for corporate HR, SecureX has an incident reporting system designed by someone who understands what church security teams deal with. It separates alerts (pre-incident warnings) from actual incidents and lets you tag team members, witnesses, and repeat offenders.

You can search past incidents, look up trespassers from months ago, and ensure your church takes a proactive posture with known threats.

Built to Save Time

SecureX eliminates the juggling act of switching between spreadsheets, email chains, text messages, and volunteer scheduling platforms. The platform consolidates scheduling, qualifications, and incident reporting under one roof.

For team members, it’s a few seconds of interaction each week—just enough to sign up and check in. For administrators, it replaces hours of manual tracking and oversight.

Free Trial and Pricing

Churches can start with a 30-day free trial, no strings attached. After that, pricing is based on team size. Here’s a general breakdown:

* Small teams: $19/month

* Large teams (150+ users): $89/month

* Most teams: ~$45/month average

There are no upgrade tiers, no extra charges for features, and no upselling. One flat price based on your team size.

Try SecureX or Book a Demo

You can sign up directly for a free trial at:👉 https://securx.co/sign-up

If you'd like a live walkthrough, email Gil at:📧 [email protected]

Visit their main site here:🔗 www.securx.co (remember, there’s no “e” in SecureX)

Christian Warrior Training is my full-time ministry. Your paid subscription helps sustain this work and expand our reach.

“It’ll never happen here.”That’s what the pastor said when the topic of church security came up before the attack.

He didn’t say it with arrogance. He believed it. His church wasn’t in a major city. There were no direct threats. No troubling people lurking outside. The community was quiet, and the congregation was close-knit. Like many pastors across the country, he assumed that violence would visit other churches — not his.

But that kind of thinking is exactly why churches remain soft targets.

The Attack That Proved Him Wrong

On November 5, 2017, a gunman walked into First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, during Sunday service. Within minutes, 46 people had been shot. Twenty-six were killed. Twenty more were wounded.

The suspect entered the church with intent to kill. He wasn’t high. He wasn’t ranting. He moved with purpose — clearing the building like he had training. Victims were shot at close range. Many were children. There was no negotiation, no warning, and no chance to “de-escalate.” It was evil in its purest form.

The suspect had a history of violence. He was prohibited from owning firearms but acquired them anyway due to government reporting failures. He didn’t choose a courthouse or a police station. He chose a church — a soft target filled with unarmed believers.

This wasn’t the first time a church had been targeted, and it won’t be the last.

Watch the Debrief and Learn What Your Church Can Do

This video isn’t just a story — it’s a wake-up call. I walk through what happened, how it unfolded, and what church safety teams can learn from the Sutherland Springs shooting. Whether you're a pastor, a team leader, or a concerned member of your congregation, this is the kind of training that can save lives.

▶️ Watch the full debrief here above

Here’s what I cover in the video:

✅ What the attacker did right — and how you can recognize similar behaviors before a shooting starts✅ Why denial is the greatest threat to your church’s safety✅ How trained security volunteers can shift the odds in your favor✅ What policies and practices failed this church, and how to avoid the same mistakes✅ The mindset every Christian needs when evil walks through the doors