Faith-Based Security Headlines
These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.
2 Dead and State Trooper Is Wounded in Kentucky Shootings, Officials Say
A shooting spree struck Fayette County, Kentucky on July 13th, beginning around 11:35am. It started when a man shot a Kentucky State Police trooper during a traffic stop near Blue Grass Airport after the vehicle was flagged by a license-plate reader. The trooper was injured and later stabilized.
Following the shooting, the suspect fled, carjacked another vehicle, and drove approximately 15 miles to Richmond Road Baptist Church. There, he opened fire during service, fatally wounding two women. Lexington and Kentucky State Police officers responded swiftly, exchanged gunfire with the suspect, and fatally shot him at the church. Authorities have confirmed a connection between the shooter and the church congregation.
Analyst Comments: The Kentucky church shooting incident underscores the continued vulnerability of faith-based institutions to targeted and grievance-fueled violence. The shooter’s statement, “someone is gonna have to die then,” after learning his intended target was not present suggests a personal grievance that escalated into broader violence. The shooter’s actions, escalating from a traffic stop shooting, to a church attack, shows how threats can move quickly across locations. Faith-based institutions may consider the need for layered security, lockdown drills, and strong ties with local law enforcement. This incident also emphasizes the importance of early reporting and behavioral threat assessment within congregations to catch potential warning signs before violence occurs.
Manifesto emailed to Boise Idaho churches
Five churches in Boise Idaho received spiritual and personal condemnations including addresses and specific individuals’ names. Based on the author’s apocalyptic tone and grievance-fueled rhetoric, there is an increased likelihood of threat-related behavior consistent with pre-incident indicators.
The manifesto, authorized by Jonathan Harms presents a theological and philosophical worldview he calls “Christan Objectivism”. The document exceeds 270 pages and includes a title “Five Churches Condemned: Briefing Truth for Lies” under Section 4.11. In this section, Harms identifies five specific churches, details perceived grievances, and invokes divine judgment using language consistent with ideological pre-violence manifestos. The full document can be found in FB-ISAO Slack.
Analyst Comments: Manifestos with apocalyptic, grievance-fueled rhetoric, particularly when naming specific individuals and addresses, are pre-incident indicators. While some manifestos do not lead to violence, the detailed targeting increases concerns. Monitoring for related online chatter, suspicious activity near named churches, and potential behavior leakage is recommended.
Recommended Actions:
- Immediately notify pastoral staff, elders, and safety ministry leaders.
- Raise security awareness for all scheduled services and events.
- Share information with law enforcement and request a threat assessment follow-up.
- Review access control, camera coverage, incident reporting, and emergency response producers.
Best practices for church safety: Bomb threats and active shooters
Houses of Worship have regularly been the target of bomb threats over the years, and this article from Christian Post offers response best practices. When a house of worship receives a bomb threat, it is important to assess the situation carefully. The person receiving the call should document exact wording, caller ID, voice traits, and background noise, and immediately notify law enforcement. If the threat is written, handle it minimally and preserve the note without altering it. Law enforcement takes the lead on evaluating the extent of the threat. If they order an evacuation, everyone should follow designated fire routes, move at least 300 feet from the building, leave all personal belongings behind, and regroup at pre-determined safe areas. No one should re-enter until the campus is cleared by authorities. Calm, prepared leadership is crucial to managing these incidents safely.
Analyst Comments: The article offers clear, actionable frameworks for faith leaders addressing bomb threats and active shooter incidents, emphasizing preparedness. Leaders may consider incorporating these recommendations into annual training calendars, coordinate with local law enforcement to conduct joint walk-throughs, and intergrade these practices into risk management plans alongside medical emergencies and natural disaster procedures.
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