Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 15 April 2024

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.

What we know about (name omitted), the man accused of driving into a Brenham DPS office

A 42-year-old man is the accused of stealing a big rig and intentionally crashing it into a Texas DPS office in Brenham on Friday. One person was killed in the crash and 13 others were injured. The man is accused of stealing the truck out of Chappel Hill before leading law enforcement on a chase to Brenham, where investigators said he purposely crashed the 18-wheeler through the front door of the Texas DPS office. Texas DPS officials said this happened just a day after Parker went to the same office and was told he was not eligible to renew his commercial driver’s license.

Related Article:

• 1 dead, 13 injured after man ‘intentionally’ crashed 18-wheeler into Brenham DPS office because he was denied CDL

Analyst Comments:

The above attack shows that active shooters are not the only deadly threat. The above vehicle attack killed 1 and injured 13. If the truck had been a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devise (VBIED), the incident would have been much worse. CISA’s Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide recommends: “Installing barriers, such as concrete planters or bollards, can also create a “stand-off” zone to help protect congregants.”

Bishop and worshippers attacked in another mass stabbing in Sydney

Footage shows the moment a man walks up to the alter in the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was saying Mass when he launched into the assault, allegedly wounding him in the face and body. The incident, which happened just after 7pm on Monday, was captured in a live-stream.

Related Article:

Sydney stabbing: Bishop injured at Sydney church in new Australia incident

Man who confronted attacker with bollard and other bystanders praised for heroic acts during Bondi stabbings

“It has been incredible to see complete strangers jump in, run towards the danger, put their own lives in harm’s way to save someone that they’ve never met before.”

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised the bystanders who committed heroic acts in the face of the danger.

“If I could point and highlight some of that strength in the last 24 hours … to the ordinary members of the public that cornered and confronted a murderer in the Westfield Shopping Centre, showing what I would call instinctive bravery under terrible circumstances,” he said.

A man held off the attacker with a bollard (pole with a heavy base, not a vehicle bollard). Shop attendants ushered people into secure areas and bystanders performed first aid.

Related Articles:

• ‘Obvious’ Sydney killer targeted women – Australian police
• Stabbing rampage at Sydney mall leaves at least 7 dead, including attacker
• Sydney stabbing: Police say no ideological motivation
• English Tutor Identified as Mall Stabbing Attacker Left Behind Disturbing Facebook Post
• Sydney knife attacker Joel Cauchi ‘had worked as male escort’ before Bondi shopping centre stabbings.
• False claims started spreading about the Bondi Junction stabbing attack as soon as it happened

Analyst Comments:

Like the vehicle attack, the two edged-weapon attacks above show that the threat environment is many faceted.

The shopping mall attack is an example of people doing all three aspects of Run. Hide. Fight. These actions may have saved lives. The FBI provides Run. Hide. Fight information on their Active Shooter Safety Resources website.

FEMA’s 5 Simple Steps to Save a Life | FEMA’s Until Help Arrives website provides information for bystanders to assist wounded victims.