Michigan Deacon Who Rammed Truck Into Gunman Says Waiting for Police Wasn’t an Option
A Michigan church deacon who helped stop an armed attacker by ramming him with his truck said he acted out of necessity, realizing there wasn’t time to wait for first responders.
“There was no time to think,” said Richard Pryor, who came under fire while protecting worshippers at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, during a June Sunday service. Speaking to the Associated Press, Pryor explained his split-second decision: “I didn’t have a weapon on me—in the truck or anything—so what are your options?”
Pryor recounted his decision-making on the day his congregation narrowly avoided tragedy. Since the incident, he’s received widespread praise and been hailed as a hero—though he admits to feeling uneasy in the spotlight. “It’s more than I anticipated, that’s for sure,” he told local station WXYZ during an appearance at a car dealership that gifted him a new truck to replace the one he used to stop the attacker. “Hopefully, I can go back into hiding after this… we’ll see.”
Despite his modesty, Pryor’s account of what happened that day highlights the critical role he played in stopping what could have been a mass shooting. Authorities say the gunman, 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning, appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis when he arrived at CrossPointe wearing a tactical vest and carrying both a rifle and a handgun. The church is located about 25 miles west of Detroit.
Pryor said he was running late to the service and witnessed Browning driving erratically in the parking lot before stepping out of his car and opening fire, injuring one person in the leg.
Pryor immediately called 911 and described the unfolding scene. But as Browning continued advancing toward the church doors, Pryor made a life-altering decision: he drove his 2018 Ford F-150 directly at the gunman, hitting him and temporarily halting the assault—even as bullets struck his truck.
Soon after, members of the church’s armed security team—established in response to rising violence at houses of worship—moved in and fatally shot Browning. Officials later confirmed that Browning’s mother was a member of the church but was not present that day.
More than 100 people were inside the church during the attack, including children leading that day’s Bible school service. When a security team member entered and urged evacuation, livestream footage showed congregants carrying children to safety and urging others to take cover or leave the building.
Reflecting on the chaotic scene, Pryor said he was somewhat relieved that many inside the church weren’t immediately aware of what was happening. “Trauma is trauma,” he said, “but thankfully ours isn’t trauma from loss of life.”
CrossPointe’s pastor, Bobby Kelly, credited Pryor with giving the security team a crucial window to act. “He hit this individual … and that certainly helped the team to be able to respond,” Kelly said.
As a gesture of gratitude, the owner of Jack Demmer Ford in Wayne offered Pryor a new two-year lease—valued at $70,000—on a 2025 Ford F-150 to replace the one that was damaged in the attack.
“This was the best way to give back,” dealership owner Matthew Demmer said, adding that Pryor’s actions likely prevented a far worse outcome.
Although Pryor was visibly moved as he received the key fob to his new truck on July 10, he remained humble. “Very grateful—very thankful,” he said. Yet, according to Demmer, Pryor remained almost reluctant behind the scenes, insisting he didn’t deserve such recognition.
