In a heartwarming display of community gratitude, Deacon Richard Pryor, who courageously intervened to stop a potential mass shooting at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, was gifted a brand-new 2025 Ford F-150 on July 10, 2025. Pryor’s decisive actions on June 22, 2025, helped avert a tragedy, and his selflessness has now been recognized with this generous gesture from Demmer Ford, a local dealership, and a supportive community.
The incident unfolded on a Sunday morning during a Vacation Bible School service at CrossPointe Community Church, located approximately 25 miles west of Detroit. Pryor, a deacon at the church, was running late and still in the church parking lot when he noticed 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning approaching the church entrance. Browning was dressed in tactical gear, armed with multiple weapons, including an AR-15, and carrying hundreds of rounds of ammunition, signaling a clear intent to carry out a large-scale attack.
Realizing the imminent danger and with no weapon of his own, Pryor made a split-second decision to act. He drove his 2018 Ford F-150 directly into Browning, striking him and halting his advance toward the church. “I’m just realizing there’s no time,” Pryor later recalled, describing the moment he floored the gas pedal. The impact gave church security team member Jay Trombley critical seconds to respond. Trombley, a trained volunteer, fatally shot Browning, who had continued firing at the church even after being struck. One security guard sustained a non-life-threatening injury to the leg during the exchange, but no parishioners were harmed.
Pryor’s truck, however, was heavily damaged by gunfire and rendered unusable, leaving him without a vehicle he relied on for his three jobs and church duties. The community quickly rallied to support him. A GoFundMe campaign initiated by church member Steven Lewellyn raised over $36,000 toward a $45,000 goal to help replace the truck and support Pryor’s family. Demmer Ford stepped in to provide a 2025 Ford F-150 PowerBoost on a two-year free lease, allowing Pryor to personally choose the vehicle’s color.
At a press conference held at the dealership on July 10, 2025, Pryor expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m nervous but excited. I’m just so thankful for everybody’s support, for everyone who reached out after the events of that Sunday. Everything that transpired afterward was unexpected, but I’m very grateful.” He humbly deflected the “hero” label, crediting divine intervention and the church’s security team for their preparedness. “I think that’s where the Lord comes involved because it was not my actions in that sense,” Pryor said. “I was notnic really thinking in that process.”
Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong praised Pryor and Trombley for their bravery, noting that their actions prevented what could have been a catastrophic event. Authorities later revealed that Browning, who had no prior criminal history, appeared to be suffering from a mental health crisis. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, with the FBI and local police assessing the motive and circumstances.
Pryor’s story has resonated deeply, with community members and churchgoers hailing him as a humble hero. “He didn’t run from danger. He drove into it to save us,” one parishioner remarked. The new Ford F-150, handed over with keys on July 10, symbolizes not only the community’s appreciation but also Pryor’s return to normalcy as he juggles his demanding work schedule and church responsibilities. When asked about plans for the truck, Pryor laughed and said, “It’s time for me to get back to work.”
This act of courage and the subsequent outpouring of support underscore the strength of community and the impact of ordinary individuals rising to extraordinary challenges. For Pryor, the new truck is more than a vehicle—it’s a testament to the lives he helped save and the gratitude of those he protected.
