Excellent, thorough report. I really appreciate how you honored those who were killed or injured in the attack. Thanks and God bless you, I pray that other churches learn from incidents like this to protect people and that the Lord protects us and draws us close to Him.
This is a hard reminder that hope isn’t a plan. What stood out most to me here isn’t just the tragedy. It’s the practical lessons that could save lives in the next attack.
Reinforced barriers can stop a vehicle before it ever reaches the doors. Fire suppression systems can buy people time to escape. Regular active-shooter and fire-evacuation drills give congregations muscle memory to act fast, not freeze. It’s sad that We even have to think that way these days, but it is something we need to do.
Every church, regardless of size, should be thinking through layered security: barriers, fire detection, coordinated training, and clear response plans with local law enforcement. Lives depend on more than faith alone. They depend on preparation. Thanks for the article Keith.
I am puzzled about the shooters actions, based on the pictures I’ve seen. The front of his truck seems tightly surrounded by bricks on both sides, so he would have had to climb up on the hood of his truck carrying his gun and the gas can; that hardly looks feasible; or else he would have had to walk around to a door, wherever that was. That would take some time.
Also, many descriptions say he rammed the building at the front door, but the pictures of that face of the building before the attack do not look like doors at all.
So I’m still scratching my head about what really happened.
Keith - thank you for your service to the church community. I recently mentioned to someone I work with that I am on our church safety/security team. She attends a church in a different county and her response was why would a church need security, I couldn’t believe it.
I am puzzled like Bryan is. The photos seem to show that the truck rammed the brick wall at the front of the sanctuary. If that is true, then bollards at the entrances would have had no effect in this instance. Thank you for providing a very detailed account of this attack and the lessons to be learned from it. I just wish the photos of the scene matched better with the account. Thank you, Keith, for all you do!
Great article and video. Thank you for what you continue to do for all of us. I really enjoy the way you put your information out without disrespecting anyone, not LEO, not the church community, etc.
you are 100% correct. We learn from others mistakes.
Very good debrief Keith. In my experience there is no better training than to take an actual incident, discuss it as you did then turn it into a scenario and train on it. I especially appreciated the time you spent on determining good guys bad guys. Reports of and audible shots fired, heavy fire and smoke, guaranteed there were cries for help. The adrenalin must have been extreme for the responders and the candle moth syndrome in affect. Friendly fire was a very real concern. The outcome could have been much worse, and it may be so yet as some of the injuries are life threatening.
For leadership to prohibit self protection is unreasonable. That would be like telling congregants don't bring a Bible, I'll provide all the scripture you need.
Excellent, thorough report. I really appreciate how you honored those who were killed or injured in the attack. Thanks and God bless you, I pray that other churches learn from incidents like this to protect people and that the Lord protects us and draws us close to Him.
God saved Noah and his family from the flood, but Noah still had to build the ark.
This is a hard reminder that hope isn’t a plan. What stood out most to me here isn’t just the tragedy. It’s the practical lessons that could save lives in the next attack.
Reinforced barriers can stop a vehicle before it ever reaches the doors. Fire suppression systems can buy people time to escape. Regular active-shooter and fire-evacuation drills give congregations muscle memory to act fast, not freeze. It’s sad that We even have to think that way these days, but it is something we need to do.
Every church, regardless of size, should be thinking through layered security: barriers, fire detection, coordinated training, and clear response plans with local law enforcement. Lives depend on more than faith alone. They depend on preparation. Thanks for the article Keith.
I am puzzled about the shooters actions, based on the pictures I’ve seen. The front of his truck seems tightly surrounded by bricks on both sides, so he would have had to climb up on the hood of his truck carrying his gun and the gas can; that hardly looks feasible; or else he would have had to walk around to a door, wherever that was. That would take some time.
Also, many descriptions say he rammed the building at the front door, but the pictures of that face of the building before the attack do not look like doors at all.
So I’m still scratching my head about what really happened.
Good observations,Bryan, perhaps too much of a hurry to report and miss accuracy.
Keith - thank you for your service to the church community. I recently mentioned to someone I work with that I am on our church safety/security team. She attends a church in a different county and her response was why would a church need security, I couldn’t believe it.
Thanks Keith, leaving the attacker unnamed in your report would be my suggestion - they don’t deserve to be named.
I am puzzled like Bryan is. The photos seem to show that the truck rammed the brick wall at the front of the sanctuary. If that is true, then bollards at the entrances would have had no effect in this instance. Thank you for providing a very detailed account of this attack and the lessons to be learned from it. I just wish the photos of the scene matched better with the account. Thank you, Keith, for all you do!
I forward your reports to a Pastor fren a mine. He has jack for security team.
What is the website for the t-shirt "send me". I have 10 guys and gals asking me. Keith Giles
That may be a turning Point USA item, not sure. But a powerful message!
Great article and video. Thank you for what you continue to do for all of us. I really enjoy the way you put your information out without disrespecting anyone, not LEO, not the church community, etc.
you are 100% correct. We learn from others mistakes.
Very good debrief Keith. In my experience there is no better training than to take an actual incident, discuss it as you did then turn it into a scenario and train on it. I especially appreciated the time you spent on determining good guys bad guys. Reports of and audible shots fired, heavy fire and smoke, guaranteed there were cries for help. The adrenalin must have been extreme for the responders and the candle moth syndrome in affect. Friendly fire was a very real concern. The outcome could have been much worse, and it may be so yet as some of the injuries are life threatening.
For leadership to prohibit self protection is unreasonable. That would be like telling congregants don't bring a Bible, I'll provide all the scripture you need.