A 911 call reached police minutes before a man with explosives sat down in the back row

What happened

At about 5:56 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, a woman called 911 in Michigan City, Indiana. According to the probable cause affidavit reported by ABC57, she had a protection order against 41-year-old Matthew Schutz. She told dispatchers he was heading to Full Gospel Church on Ohio Street with explosives to shoot a man who attended there.

An officer arrived about ten minutes later, spotted the suspect’s truck in the lot, and learned he was sitting at the back of the church among parishioners. The officer asked him to step outside. When the officer felt a cylindrical object in his sweatshirt pocket, Schutz allegedly called it a firework, then pulled away and ran. Police caught him and say he had multiple explosive devices on him. A search of his home turned up more devices and bomb-making materials. Investigators say he also intended to target a second person and their family.

Schutz was charged with attempted murder, possession of a destructive device, stalking and resisting law enforcement. The charges are allegations, and the case is pending.

What safety teams can take from it

• Midweek services need coverage too. This happened on a Wednesday evening, when most churches have fewer volunteers and lower awareness. Put at least a basic team on every gathering.
• Domestic disputes follow people to church. Many incidents begin as personal conflicts. Give members a confidential way to tell the safety lead about protection orders, so the team knows a name or vehicle to watch for.
• Support law enforcement, don’t compete with them. The officer moved the subject out of the sanctuary before acting, which was the right call. Agree ahead of time with your local department on how your team will help: pointing them to the person, managing the room, and keeping members away.
• Have a suspicious item procedure. “It’s just a firework” is not an answer. Train your team never to handle a suspected device, to clear the area, and to use phones and radios at a distance per your local bomb squad’s guidance.