Latest news with #WXYZ
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- The Guardian
Michigan deacon thwarted attack on church by ramming truck into shooter
A Michigan church deacon who had a hand in thwarting a rifle-wielding man's attempts to shoot worshippers at a service in June by ramming the attacker with his truck says he sprang into action because waiting for first responders' help was not feasible. 'I'm just realizing there's no time,' Richard Pryor – who drew gunfire while protecting the congregation of CrossPointe Community church in Wayne, Michigan – said during a recent Associated Press interview in which he revisited his state of mind that day. 'I didn't have a weapon on me, in the truck or anything, so what are your options?' Pryor detailed his thinking from the day his church and its members probably came close to being shot up as many across Wayne and beyond have lavished him with praise, exalting his courage as well as calling him a hero. He has not been entirely comfortable with the spotlight the US media has since shined on him. 'It's more than I anticipated – that's for sure,' Pryor told the Michigan news station WXYZ while appearing at a local car dealership which leased him a new truck free of charge to replace the one he damaged when his church was targeted for violence on 22 June. 'Hopefully, I can go back into hiding after this … We'll see.' Nonetheless, what Pryor has been willing to share about his experience on the day he intervened on behalf of his fellow worshippers makes clear the role he had in ensuring – as he put it – 'the attacker's intended tragedy did not occur'. Investigators believe 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning was grappling with a mental health crisis when he equipped himself with a tactical vest, a handgun and a rifle and drove to CrossPointe, about 25 miles (40 km) west of Detroit. Pryor said he was running late and ended up watching as the man later identified as Browning drove dangerously in the church parking lot, stepped out of his car and began firing, wounding one person in the leg. The deacon called law enforcement on his cellphone and began relaying the scene to an emergency operator when Browning – whom Pryor did not know – kept advancing toward the church doors. Pryor at that point decided to aim his 2018 Ford F-150 pickup at Browning and ram him. Pryor struck him with his F-150, despite taking multiple shots to his vehicle, officials said. That action temporarily stopped the shooter. At least two members of an armed security team that CrossPointe launched in response to violence at other places of worship soon approached. The security staffers then fatally shot Browning, whose mother was a CrossPointe congregant but was not there that Sunday. More than 100 congregants were inside the church, where children attending Bible school led that day's service. After a security team member came in and directed everyone in the church to get out, a livestream video of the service recorded congregants carrying children away – or pleading with them to take cover or retreat. Pryor, reflecting on the distressing sequence of events, said he took a measure of comfort in the fact that evidently 'a lot of people did not see what happened and weren't [immediately] aware of what was going on'. 'Trauma is trauma, but thankfully ours is not trauma over loss of life,' Pryor told the AP. Sign up to First Thing Our US morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion CrossPointe's pastor, Bobby Kelly, attributed that reality to Pryor, saying: 'He hit this individual … and that certainly helped the team to be able to respond.' All of which motivated the owner of Wayne's Jack Demmer Ford dealership to give Pryor a free, two-year lease valued at $70,000 for a 2025 F-150 to replace the truck that was hit by multiple bullets as the deacon defended his church. The dealership owner, Matthew Demmer, said Pryor's new truck was 'the best way to give back', a token of recognition for how 'it could have been a heck of a lot worse'. As Pryor was handed the key fob to the new truck on 10 July, he declared himself 'very grateful – very thankful'. Yet Demmer told WXYZ that Pryor privately maintained in an almost 'standoffish' way that he didn't deserve the truck. The Associated Press contributed reporting
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- The Guardian
Michigan deacon thwarted attack on church by ramming truck into shooter
A Michigan church deacon who had a hand in thwarting a rifle-wielding man's attempts to shoot worshippers at a service in June by ramming the attacker with his truck says he sprang into action because waiting for first responders' help was not feasible. 'I'm just realizing there's no time,' Richard Pryor – who drew gunfire while protecting the congregation of CrossPointe Community church in Wayne, Michigan – said during a recent Associated Press interview in which he revisited his state of mind that day. 'I didn't have a weapon on me, in the truck or anything, so what are your options?' Pryor detailed his thinking from the day his church and its members probably came close to being shot up as many across Wayne and beyond have lavished him with praise, exalting his courage as well as calling him a hero. He has not been entirely comfortable with the spotlight the US media has since shined on him. 'It's more than I anticipated – that's for sure,' Pryor told the Michigan news station WXYZ while appearing at a local car dealership which leased him a new truck free of charge to replace the one he damaged when his church was targeted for violence on 22 June. 'Hopefully, I can go back into hiding after this … We'll see.' Nonetheless, what Pryor has been willing to share about his experience on the day he intervened on behalf of his fellow worshippers makes clear the role he had in ensuring – as he put it – 'the attacker's intended tragedy did not occur'. Investigators believe 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning was grappling with a mental health crisis when he equipped himself with a tactical vest, a handgun and a rifle and drove to CrossPointe, about 25 miles (40 km) west of Detroit. Pryor said he was running late and ended up watching as the man later identified as Browning drove dangerously in the church parking lot, stepped out of his car and began firing, wounding one person in the leg. The deacon called law enforcement on his cellphone and began relaying the scene to an emergency operator when Browning – whom Pryor did not know – kept advancing toward the church doors. Pryor at that point decided to aim his 2018 Ford F-150 pickup at Browning and ram him. Pryor struck him with his F-150, despite taking multiple shots to his vehicle, officials said. That action temporarily stopped the shooter. At least two members of an armed security team that CrossPointe launched in response to violence at other places of worship soon approached. The security staffers then fatally shot Browning, whose mother was a CrossPointe congregant but was not there that Sunday. More than 100 congregants were inside the church, where children attending Bible school led that day's service. After a security team member came in and directed everyone in the church to get out, a livestream video of the service recorded congregants carrying children away – or pleading with them to take cover or retreat. Pryor, reflecting on the distressing sequence of events, said he took a measure of comfort in the fact that evidently 'a lot of people did not see what happened and weren't [immediately] aware of what was going on'. 'Trauma is trauma, but thankfully ours is not trauma over loss of life,' Pryor told the AP. CrossPointe's pastor, Bobby Kelly, attributed that reality to Pryor, saying: 'He hit this individual … and that certainly helped the team to be able to respond.' All of which motivated the owner of Wayne's Jack Demmer Ford dealership to give Pryor a free, two-year lease valued at $70,000 for a 2025 F-150 to replace the truck that was hit by multiple bullets as the deacon defended his church. The dealership owner, Matthew Demmer, said Pryor's new truck was 'the best way to give back', a token of recognition for how 'it could have been a heck of a lot worse'. As Pryor was handed the key fob to the new truck on 10 July, he declared himself 'very grateful – very thankful'. Yet Demmer told WXYZ that Pryor privately maintained in an almost 'standoffish' way that he didn't deserve the truck. The Associated Press contributed reporting
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Dad of 2 dies after driver fleeing cops slams into his car, Michigan wife says
A father of two driving for Uber was killed when another driver fleeing police crashed into his vehicle, according to his wife. Danielle Habib said her husband, 28-year-old Alex Habib, died after being T-boned by another driver around 3 a.m. July 12 in Warren, according to WXYZ. He was the only person in his vehicle. The driver was being chased by Roseville police officers, the news outlet reported. The chase involved a 16-year-old accused of stealing a vehicle before fleeing from police, according to WJBK. It's unclear the condition of the teenage driver. Roseville police have not publicly commented on the crash. McClatchy News reached out to the department July 14 and is awaiting a response. Danielle Habib criticized the actions by police that led to her husband's death. 'Alex was an innocent bystander. He left behind multiple ... people that loved him and cared about him, and he was, he was innocent, you know ... moving about his day and ... he was killed over, you know, something that could have been avoided,' she told WXYZ. According to a GoFundMe, Alex Habib was considered a 'loving father' to his 1-year-old daughter and 3-month-old son. The fundraiser said 'his life revolved around his family.' He worked multiple jobs to help make ends meet for his family, his father-in-law, Dale Durant, told WDIV. 'Alex worked tirelessly to provide for Danielle and the kids, both emotionally and financially,' according to the GoFundMe. 'He was a man of deep love, quiet strength, and unwavering dedication — someone who gave selflessly and always showed up for the people he loved.' Durant called his son-in-law 'incredible' as he remembered him for his 'kind-hearted demeanor.' 'He was the kind of man you hope your children are surrounded by: a devoted young father, a tireless worker, a steady provider, a loyal golf partner, and above all, a true friend and brother,' Durant said on Facebook. Warren is about a 20-mile drive north from Detroit.
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Miami Herald
83-year-old attacked in fit of road road rage outside Kroger, Michigan cops say
Bystanders came to the aid of an 83-year-old man who Michigan authorities say was violently attacked outside a Kroger store. The Dearborn Police Department said a fit of road rage led to the July 4 incident and the arrest of another driver. According to a Facebook post, George 'Judo' Whittaker broke his hip and has a possible concussion after the attack. Whittaker told WXYZ he pulled out of the Kroger parking lot but attempted to turn back into the lot to drop off mail, angering a driver behind him. The other driver got out of his car and got in the face of Whittaker, who told WXYZ he was 'only an inch away.' As they began to fight, Whittaker fell hard to the ground. Whittaker was taken to a hospital with injuries, according to police. Police said the driver fled the scene in a pickup truck. Meanwhile, 'several concerned citizens' provided aid to Whittaker and gave officers information about the accused attacker. The driver was identified due in part to local businesses, which provided surveillance footage to officers, according to police The police department said the driver was taken into custody July 5. He was identified by WWJ as 55-year-old John Kreitner and was charged with aggravated assault. 'This incident is a reminder that violence on our roadways will not be tolerated,' Police Chief Issa Shahin said in a statement. 'We are grateful to the good Samaritans and local businesses who quickly stepped up to support our investigation and bring the suspect into custody.'
USA Today
22-06-2025
- USA Today
Suspect dead following Michigan church shooting: Police
One person was killed and one was injured in a shooting at a church in Wayne, Michigan on June 22, according to local police. City of Wayne police said in a Facebook post that a shooting took place at CrossPointe Community Church and that responding officers determined that a security guard for the church shot and killed the suspect. Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ reported that the suspect was on his way to the church when another person tried to stop him with their truck. When he opened fire on the truck the security guard intervened, according to the station. US attack on Iran fallout: US warns of 'heightened threat environment' after strikes on Iran nukes USA TODAY reached out to the department but did not receive an immediate response on Sunday. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X that the bureau has sent leadership and support teams to Wayne. This is a developing story.
