Church Security Stops Potential Active Shooter During Service

Armed man detained by church security during Sunday service at Bellaire Baptist in Bossier City, LA. No injuries reported.

During the 10:15 a.m. service at Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana, an individual known to the church entered the sanctuary with a firearm and a backpack containing ammunition. The incident occurred while the service was being live streamed to over 3,800 viewers.

Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City

The suspect, Christopher Dewayne Strong, climbed onto the church’s media platform at the rear of the sanctuary. A staff member in the sound booth, located behind the camera setup, observed Strong produce a firearm and quietly alerted church security personnel. Strong attempted to manipulate the livestream camera but was unsuccessful. This delay allowed security personnel to respond before he could retrieve the firearm.

Strong was detained by the church’s security team without incident and held until Bossier City Police arrived. He was arrested and is currently facing charges including terrorism, simple battery, and illegal carrying of a firearm. According to church leadership, Strong has previously received assistance from the church in the form of food, shelter, and facility access.

No injuries were reported. Church officials stated that their security team consists of retired law enforcement and military personnel, and credited their training and coordination for the successful resolution.

Incident Analysis and Security Lessons

The Bellaire Baptist incident underscores several important principles for church security operations:

1. Known Individuals Can Still Present a Threat

Christopher Dewayne Strong was not a stranger to the church. Leadership had supported him in the past, providing food, shelter, and access to facilities. This familiarity did not prevent him from presenting a credible threat. Churches must recognize that prior relationships do not eliminate the possibility of violence. Emotional instability, mental health deterioration, or external stressors can change a person’s behavior rapidly.

Key Point: All individuals—regardless of past relationships—should be assessed based on current behavior and observed risk indicators.

2. Rapid Notification Prevented Escalation

A staff member in the sound booth observed the suspect produce a firearm and alerted the church’s security team. While the exact method of communication has not been publicly detailed, the notification was effective in initiating a timely response without causing disruption to the service.

Key Point: Churches should ensure that team members can communicate discreetly during services, whether through radios, text messaging, or other quiet alert systems. These protocols are critical to preserving order and enabling a tactical response without alerting the congregation or escalating the situation prematurely.

3. Security Team Was Properly Positioned and Ready

Strong was intercepted before he could re-engage with the weapon he placed on the platform. This response window was only available because the team was present, observant, and prepared to act without delay.

Key Point: Having security staff stationed in key visual positions—especially near high-traffic and high-value areas like entrances, platforms, and AV booths—can provide early detection and rapid intervention.

4. Training and Mindset Are Essential

Church leadership stated that the responding security team at Bellaire Baptist included retired law enforcement and military personnel. Their performance reflected a high level of readiness and discipline. However, professional backgrounds are not a prerequisite for effective church security. What matters most is a willingness to serve, a clear mind under pressure, and consistent, scenario-based training.

Key Point: Churches should seek team members who have a Christian warrior mindset—individuals who are spiritually grounded, mentally prepared, and physically capable of protecting the flock. While prior tactical experience can be beneficial, regular training and rehearsal are what prepare any team, regardless of background, to respond effectively under stress.

Practical Security Recommendations for Churches

The Bellaire Baptist incident highlights several practical steps that churches of any size can implement to strengthen their safety posture:

Establish a Clearly Defined Security Team

Churches should designate a safety or security ministry with defined roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Volunteers should undergo a vetting process and agree to ongoing participation in training and drills.

Prioritize Regular, Realistic Training

Regardless of background, security team members must train regularly on use-of-force decision-making, verbal de-escalation, firearm retention (if armed), and threat recognition. Scenario-based exercises inside the sanctuary help teams visualize and prepare for real-world incidents.

Monitor Access Points and Critical Areas

Team members should be strategically positioned at entry points, near the stage, and in areas like sound booths or children’s ministry zones. These placements provide early detection and faster intervention.

Implement Layered Communication Systems

Churches should develop a layered communication structure, including radios with earpieces, text groups, and backup methods like hand signals or code phrases. Communications should be discreet and rehearsed regularly.

Document and Debrief Incidents

Every security incident, regardless of outcome, should be documented. A formal debrief allows the team to identify what worked, what didn’t, and what adjustments are necessary moving forward.

Preparedness Is an Act of Stewardship

Church security is not about fear or paranoia—it is a practical extension of stewardship. Scripture makes it clear that watchfulness is part of faithful leadership. In Ezekiel 33:6, God warns that if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, he is accountable. In the same way, churches are responsible for protecting the people under their care.

Incidents like the one at Bellaire Baptist Church show that threats can surface even in the most familiar settings. While the congregation worshipped, a trained team stayed alert, recognized a developing threat, and intervened before harm could occur. That response was the result of preparation—but it was also a clear example of God’s hand of protection. As Psalm 127:1 reminds us, “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” The role of the watchman is essential, but we never forget who truly guards His people.

Churches that take security seriously aren’t acting out of fear; they are fulfilling their role as watchmen. A spiritually grounded, operationally prepared team is one of the best ways to ensure that the mission of the church continues without disruption. That’s what happened in Bossier City.