POLK COUNTY, Fla. – In the wake of an active shooter incident at Crosspoint Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, Sunday morning, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is issuing a strong call to action for all local houses of worship: be vigilant, prepare for threats, and establish robust safety and security plans.
“This morning’s active shooter at a church in Wayne, Michigan, reminds us that all of our houses of worship must have a safety and security plan to immediately respond to an active shooter,” Polk County Sheriff Judd stated.
Police in Wayne said on social media that they responded to an active shooter in the parking lot of CrossPointe Community Church on Sunday.
They learned that a security guard had shot and killed the shooter, who Deputy Chief Finley Carter III said was a 31-year-old man.
“Shooter is going to be down in a parking lot. Someone ran him over,” an official says on the dispatch radio.
“Our leadership and support teams are on the ground, at the scene, in Wayne, Michigan, providing assistance and investigative support,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on X.
Sheriff Judd is directly challenging congregants and leadership alike, posing the critical question: “Does your house of worship have a plan to protect and immediately stop an active shooter?”
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He stressed that if the answer is no, members must demand that their leadership teams prioritize and implement such a plan without delay. “House of Worship leadership must take actions to keep congregations safe,” Judd asserted.
This renewed emphasis on security follows a pattern of attacks on religious institutions across the country in recent years. Many churches, synagogues, and mosques have already taken steps to facilitate plans and train individuals to counter active-shooter scenarios. However, Sheriff Judd warns that an active shooter incident can occur anywhere, making preparation essential for all.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is urging all congregants to remain alert. “If you see something, or hear something suspicious, then say something,” the Sheriff’s office advised. They recommend immediate communication with house of worship leadership and security, followed by notification of local law enforcement.
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For approximately eight years, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has been offering free Active Assailant Preparation training to houses of worship and other organizations. This comprehensive training provides an overview of active assailant incidents, detailing best practices for preparation and response. It also covers tactics and strategies for what to do when law enforcement arrives on the scene.
Houses of worship interested in learning more about the Active Assailant Preparation training can email crimeprevention@polksheriff.org or call 863-298-6677.
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