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An article by Marcy Jankovich
On the morning of September 28 in Grand Blanc, Michigan, a man drove his GMC pickup into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set the building ablaze with an accelerant, and opened fire on parishioners as they fled. In minutes, lives were shattered: four people lost their lives, and eight others were injured. Authorities later reported suspected incendiary devices in the attacker’s vehicle, underscoring how many tools—beyond firearms—can be used to cause harm.
Less than a week earlier, a local candidate, Kris Johns, had canvassed a nearby neighborhood and encountered a man who launched into a tirade against the Latter-day Saints, calling them “the antichrist” and referencing a former LDS spouse. No one could have predicted that, days later, a church in our community would be targeted.
Police response that morning was swift. A Department of Natural Resources officer and a Grand Blanc Township officer arrived within roughly 30 seconds of the first 911 call, and the attacker was stopped about eight minutes after the assault began. Even so, the damage was profound. Investigators could not immediately enter the building due to the fire, and searches for additional victims continued.
Just months earlier and only about 55 miles away, another Michigan church faced a similar danger. A gunman wearing a tactical vest approached the CrossPointe Community Church (June) with a long gun and a handgun and began firing. In that instance, trained church personnel acted quickly: a security guard and a staff member intervened, one parishioner used a vehicle to disrupt the attack, and the assailant was stopped. No parishioners were killed.
Two churches. Two attacks. Two very different outcomes.
The comparison should focus us on what actually changes results: preparation. In Grand Blanc, a fire, vehicle assault, and gunfire unfolded before congregants could react. In Grosse Pointe, a trained safety response prevented mass casualties. The distinction wasn’t the implements used; it was readiness.
Language matters, too. In the aftermath of the Grand Blanc attack, much public conversation centered solely on “gun violence.” But the first weapons deployed were a vehicle and fire—followed by a rifle. If we define the problem only by one tool, we risk ignoring the many ways violent individuals can cause harm. At its core, the driver of these tragedies is violent intent. Focusing narrowly on categories of objects obscures a broader truth: evil seeks a means. Our task is to deny it opportunity.
What’s the takeaway for faith communities and schools?
Faith communities and schools should begin by building a safety team and ensuring that it is well trained. This can include forming a vetted volunteer security team or contracting with professional security, while also making sure ushers and greeters receive awareness training so they can serve as the first line of observation. Leaders should coordinate closely with local law enforcement and first responders, sharing floor plans, designating rally points, and conducting joint drills so that fast police response can be matched by congregational readiness.
Preparation should account for multiple types of threats rather than focusing narrowly on one. Fire, vehicle ramming, edged weapons, and firearms all pose risks, and layered defenses such as bollards at entrances, monitored access points, and strategically placed fire extinguishers can help blunt an attack. Just as important, communities should practice both evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures. Having clear commands and rehearsed routes ensures that people can respond quickly, and those seconds can save lives.
A culture of “See Something, Say Something” should be encouraged so that members feel comfortable reporting concerning behavior—whether it is threatening language, fixation on the facility, or attempts to bypass security. Medical readiness is also critical: trauma kits with tourniquets, pressure dressings, and hemostatic gauze should be placed in visible locations, and volunteers should be trained in Stop the Bleed techniques. Every community should also establish a communication plan capable of delivering rapid, plain-language instructions over both PA systems and text alerts, while accounting for children in classrooms and congregants with mobility limitations.
Finally, planning should not end once the immediate threat is over. Aftercare must be part of the strategy, including reunification procedures, pastoral care, and trauma-informed counseling to support healing in the aftermath of an incident.
None of this is about living in fear. It’s about stewardship—protecting the people we love and the places where we gather in faith and fellowship. Preparation does not guarantee safety, but it changes probabilities. When seconds count, a plan practiced in peace becomes the bridge to survival.
I believe in naming the true problem clearly: violence. Pickup trucks, gasoline, and firearms can all be used for good or ill; intent drives outcomes. Our response must be equally clear-eyed: prevention where possible, protection where necessary, and courage always. In every emergency, before help can arrive, you are your own first responder. Be ready.
Marcy Jankovich is the Michigan State Director of Women for Gun Rights, an MCRGO Instructor, and an MCRGO Life Member.
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