Deadly Church Shooting Caught on Camera
Deadly Force Incident Outside a Church: What We Can Learn
Church safety teams exist to protect worshippers and ensure that everyone can gather to worship in peace. Sadly, violence sometimes finds its way into even these sacred spaces. Today, I’m debriefing a deadly force incident outside a church in West Fargo, North Dakota—a tragic scenario that reinforces the need for training, awareness, and preparation.
Previously, I wrote an article analyzing this incident (read it here). With the release of new video evidence by West Fargo Police, we now have a clearer picture of what happened and what lessons can be drawn. For those unfamiliar with the event, this article breaks down the incident, analyzes the actions taken, and highlights steps your church safety team can implement to reduce the likelihood of similar outcomes.
You can watch my in-depth video debrief and analysis on the Christian Warrior Training YouTube channel (the video is below, but I suggest reading this article along with watching the video). Below is the detailed breakdown.
The Incident: A Timeline of Events
On a Saturday morning, an elderly man with dementia arrived at his church, thinking it was Sunday. He encountered a homeless man in the parking lot who appeared to be experiencing mental illness. The homeless man began attempting to break into the church, and the two men got into a physical altercation.
As the situation escalated, an armed bystander driving nearby noticed the fight. He intervened with a firearm, ordering the homeless man to stop. Despite his clear commands, the suspect continued advancing with his hands raised but in an aggressive, threatening manner. This prompted the bystander to fire his weapon, fatally wounding the suspect.
Lessons for Church Safety Teams
This incident reveals several important lessons for church safety teams, which I will unpack in detail.
1. Recognizing Pre-Attack Indicators
The homeless man exhibited several pre-attack indicators that signaled the potential for violence:
Clenched Fists: A classic sign of readiness to fight.
Bladed Stance: This body position, with one shoulder back, often indicates someone preparing for physical confrontation.
Escalating Language: The suspect made verbal threats like "This is my house" and "Death will be upon you." These should always be taken seriously.
Training your safety team to recognize these signs early can prevent escalation. In this case, the elderly man had limited awareness of these indicators and was caught off guard.
2. The Importance of Positioning and Disengagement
One critical error was the elderly man’s positioning. He was backed against the wall with no escape route, leaving him vulnerable. Here’s how proper positioning could have changed the situation:
Create Distance: Maintaining a safe buffer between yourself and a potentially violent individual provides reaction time.
Have an Escape Route: Always position yourself so you can retreat if necessary.
Disengagement is often the best strategy. If someone is attempting to break into the church, focus on evacuating, calling 911, and observing from a safe distance.
3. Clear, Simple Verbal Commands
The armed bystander who intervened issued commands like “Get on the ground” and “Don’t move.” This is the right approach—commands should be:
Clear: Avoid confusing or complex instructions.
Forceful: Use a tone that asserts authority.
Specific: Make it obvious what you want the individual to do.
A lack of clarity in verbal commands can escalate confusion and increase the risk of violence. Training your team to deliver simple instructions in high-pressure situations is vital.
4. Tactical Visualization: Preparing for the Unexpected
Tactical visualization involves mentally rehearsing potential scenarios, considering how you would respond, and developing plans of action. For example:
What would you do if someone with a weapon entered the church?
How would you handle a mentally ill individual making threats?
This mental preparation equips you to make quicker, more confident decisions in real-life situations.
What Could Have Been Done Differently?
While everyone involved did their best under difficult circumstances, there are always lessons to learn. Here are some alternative approaches that could have prevented or mitigated the outcome:
Disengagement and De-Escalation
The elderly man could have disengaged when the suspect first became aggressive. Church safety teams must prioritize de-escalation techniques, such as:
Maintaining a Non-Threatening Posture: Keep your hands visible and your tone calm.
Avoiding Arguments: Don’t challenge beliefs or escalate verbal confrontations.
Offering Distractions: Offering water or assistance can sometimes defuse tension.
Calling for Assistance
The bystander acted bravely, but police should have been called as soon as the fight started. Safety teams should ensure they have immediate access to 911 and coordinate with law enforcement when possible.
Recognizing Property as Replaceable
The initial confrontation began over the suspect attempting to break into the church. Property is replaceable; lives are not. In situations like this, it’s often better to allow the suspect to damage property and focus on ensuring everyone’s safety.
Training in Use of Force
The bystander used lethal force lawfully and effectively, but additional training could have provided more options to de-escalate or neutralize the threat without firing a weapon.
Final Takeaways for Church Safety Teams
This tragic incident reminds us of the critical importance of training, preparation, and awareness. Here are the key points to implement in your safety ministry:
Train to Recognize Pre-Attack Indicators: Teach your team to identify signs of escalating violence.
Practice Tactical Visualization: Use scenario-based training to rehearse responses to potential threats.
Prioritize Disengagement: Avoid physical confrontations whenever possible.
Call for Help Early: Make law enforcement your ally by involving them as soon as a situation arises.
Invest in Training: Equip your team with de-escalation, verbal command, and defensive tactics training.
For a deeper analysis, you can read my previous article on this incident here. The full footage from West Fargo Police can also be viewed above.
I’ve also uploaded a detailed video breakdown on the Christian Warrior Training YouTube channel. I encourage you to watch it and share your thoughts in the comments.
Let’s continue to pray for the safety of our churches, and for all those involved in incidents like this. Together, we can create safer spaces for worship and fellowship.
Hi Keith. Thank you for this video and your dialogue around the incident. We used this for our Safety Team training this past weekend and it inspired a lot of great conversations. We reiterated the immediate need to call 911 when an incident happens and then safe ways to approach the incident. Knowing we have a volunteer team over 60 members, each with different backgrounds, we didn't spend time criticizing the good guy, rather spent time discussing thought processes to address the situation safely. Thanks again for all you do for the Church Safety community. Chris
Everything that you have said on this case was right on. You made me laugh when you held up the phone and said 'if only there was some device where people could call 911' I had been thinking that for 20 minutes in the video - the crazy talk was on loop. Call 911 and pretend you are calling the locksmith to get in the church. I've called 911 by accident by clamping the right thumb button on a tripod. Like you, I would avoid physically engaging - I know all my pain receptors are working but I doubt the suspect is feeling more than 25% pain. My Monday QB: I doubt I would have initially drawn down and eventually shot. Keep up the great work.