A man who opened fire outside a Michigan church filled with parishioners over the weekend was struck by a vehicle and then fatally shot by security staff who averted a potential mass shooting, police say.

Churchgoers attending a morning service at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne spotted the gunman driving recklessly and then saw him exit his car wearing a tactical vest and carrying a rifle and a handgun, police Chief Ryan Strong said at an evening news conference.

The man began firing as he approached the church, striking one person in the leg.

“A parishioner struck the gunman with his vehicle as the gunman shot the vehicle repeatedly,” Strong told reporters.

“At least two staff members shot the gunman, causing the fatal wounds.”

Police described the suspect as a 31-year-old white male with no known connection to the church.

His motive remains unclear, but it appears he was suffering from a mental health crisis, Strong said.

The shooting occurred around 11 am in Wayne, a city of about 17,000 people located about 25 miles (40 km) west of Detroit.

The person who was shot in the leg was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the chief said. Nobody else was hurt.

Strong said a church member ran the suspect over with his pickup truck, giving security staff time to shoot him.

“We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church’s staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large-scale mass shooting,” the chief said.