Armed Man Enters San Jose Church Twice—Why Weren’t Churches Warned?
On March 16 and again on March 26, 2025, a man entered the United Methodist Church in San Jose, California, carrying multiple bags—one of which reportedly contained a gold and silver handgun. According to a bulletin shared with law enforcement through the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC), the subject was also yelling, “The Jews are the reason the economy is bad.” He was last seen leaving in a white Tesla.
Both the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are aware of the incident. However, no public warning was issued to churches in the region. Based on the available information, the threat appeared credible enough for federal authorities to be involved. Despite this, local faith-based organizations were left unaware that a church in their area had been breached by an armed and erratic individual.
What This Tells Us
This is more than just an isolated disruption. When someone enters a church twice, carrying multiple bags and a firearm, while making ideologically charged statements, it raises significant concerns—both from a tactical and threat assessment standpoint. Repeated entry over a 10-day span indicates possible surveillance or fixation behavior. Bringing a gun onto church property, especially while exhibiting erratic conduct, crosses the line from suspicious to dangerous.
Yet despite the clear warning signs, churches in the Bay Area—particularly in Santa Clara, Alameda, and San Mateo Counties—were never alerted. The lack of communication is disheartening and dangerous.
Churches remain among the most underprotected soft targets in the country. This isn’t speculation. It’s a fact that has been repeatedly proven through violent incidents such as Sutherland Springs, Charleston, Poway, and Lakewood. Yet, even in the face of known threats, government agencies often fail to share actionable information with the very communities under threat.
Churches Must Build Their Own Intelligence Network
This incident is a wake-up call for any church relying solely on law enforcement or fusion centers to provide advanced warning. While fusion centers like NCRIC exist to share information across agencies, their reporting systems often stop at the uniform level. Churches—despite being frequent targets of violence—are rarely looped into these networks.
That’s why I created Christian Warrior Training’s intelligence network. It’s a direct line for churches to receive threat updates, situational breakdowns, and strategic advice rooted in biblical responsibility and tactical preparation.
What Church Security Teams Can Learn
Here are a few immediate takeaways for your team:
Document and Report Suspicious Activity: Always take photos (if safe), get license plate numbers, and report suspicious people—even if they leave without incident.
Train Greeters to Identify Red Flags: Multiple bags, erratic speech, and ideological rants should all trigger immediate notification to your safety ministry.
Establish a Bag Policy: Bags should not be permitted in sanctuary spaces without prior approval. This gives you legal standing and operational control.
Build Relationships with Law Enforcement: Know your local officers and make it clear that your church expects to be informed of nearby incidents like this.
Push for Church Access to Fusion Centers: Churches should not be treated as civilians during emergencies. You are guardians of your congregation and should be granted access to faith-based intel briefings.
A Biblical Mandate for Vigilance
The role of the shepherd is not just to feed the flock—it is to guard it.
Throughout Scripture, the call to protect God’s people is both spiritual and physical. Pastors and church leaders are tasked not only with teaching sound doctrine but also with safeguarding the body from wolves, whether they come with false teaching or violent intent.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be...”
—1 Peter 5:2
Peter’s words aren’t passive. The phrase “watching over them” speaks to an active vigilance—an alertness to danger, a readiness to act. In the ancient world, shepherds stood between the sheep and every threat, from thieves to wild animals. In the same way, pastors and safety team members stand between the congregation and spiritual or physical harm.
Jesus Himself warned of the nature of the enemy:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
—John 10:10
We often quote this verse in reference to Satan, but it applies equally to any threat that seeks to harm God’s people. Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd—not just for His love and guidance, but because He laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). That is the model: sacrificial leadership that watches, discerns, and acts when necessary.
Don’t Build a Bunker—Build a Barrier That Welcomes
Church security should never transform the house of God into a fortress. We are called to be a light in dark times, not a compound sealed from the world.
However, being watchful and being welcoming are not at odds. Scripture teaches that preparation is a mark of wisdom, not fear:
“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
—Proverbs 22:3
The goal is not paranoia—it is readiness. And readiness allows the rest of the church to worship freely, without distraction, in a house that is both open to the broken and guarded against evil.
When security teams are alert, greeters can smile with confidence. When protocols are in place, pastors can preach with focus. When one part of the body stands guard, the rest can serve, pray, and worship in peace.
(CORRECTED) was in a hurry: "...Churches Must Build Their Own Intelligence Network...."
Fairfax County is still uninterested four years on. My model was back then a Church Threat Working Group. No traction by police, whom I implored to monitor and manage the group. That grown into a powerful source for trusted relationship and an intel exchange between chuch security groups to enhance training, support. For the police, intelligence leads. The model was ignored by police and churches. February 2025, my warnings and intelligence I collected and analyzed that was rejected and mocked ignored absolved with two intercepted overt target intelligence collection (overt for a reason) were reported by the two churches to the Fairfax County Police (No Further Information.)
Keither, You already know my professional background and the biblical predications and warnings of the Almighty I have repeatedly over the years tried to warn. Locally and two expensive memberships at two faith-based security organizations who balked, mocked and were annoyed by what I brought. I do nothing half-way. I am as intense, tenacious and relentless with inpact as I was in my careers as a federal and military special agent. I am licensed by Virginia DCJS and very, very serious i my calling, background, and this mission.
Almost five decades and two retirements in this profession I brought to the church target and the environment. Raw reporting, my own analysis. Flat out cursed and rejected.
Target surveillance is conducted and retained for one reason. Attack. YES there have been attacks on churches and YES there will be more.
(CORRECTED) Keith it is indeed a shame I cannot initiate what we used cherish in our professions as liaison and camaraderie. This reporting of yours of little difference with my indications and warning (intelligence term). I have shown the nexus. This was ignored repeatedly.
As you know I have repeatedly over four years shown the blatant intelligence and targeting nexus by Islam and communist anarchist groups which have within the last for years have joined a mutual aid and accelerant.
Target surveillance events finally coming to light are the very least of what is coming.
The two you reported were overt, NOT covert. That two occurred right here in Fairfax County is no coincidence. I tried getting churches here to form a Threat Working Group met with silence and no responses. Even the county police at the highest levels. I reported two probable clandestine target intelligence collection at my church. Zero interest. Even that church blocked every effort to train, equip, prepare the congregation.
My current church is the almost the exact opposite. They have welcomed me. They are not balking at my intelligence reporting analysis and reporting.
WHY am I so intense about for four years? Maybe someone should sit me down and listen. I will tell you.