Detroit pastor praised for calming gunman during funeral

Attendees fled McFall Funeral Home as a man pulled a gun, but the pastor's quick thinking prevented further escalation.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:19pm

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An extreme close-up of a single spent bullet casing on a dark surface, starkly lit by a harsh camera flash, conceptually representing the threat of gun violence that disrupted a funeral service in Detroit.A somber reminder that even sacred spaces are not immune to the threat of gun violence, as a Detroit pastor's quick thinking prevented further tragedy at a funeral.Today in Detroit

A frightening incident occurred at a funeral service in Detroit over the weekend, when a man pulled out a gun inside the McFall Funeral Home. Detroit police are now praising the pastor, Darthanian Nichols, for his calm and quick actions that helped attendees flee the scene safely without any injuries.

Why it matters

Funerals are meant to be solemn, peaceful occasions for grieving loved ones, but this incident highlights the potential for violence to disrupt these events. The pastor's response is being hailed as heroic, as he was able to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of those present.

The details

According to Detroit police captain John Stewart, the gunman produced a handgun and threatened attendees just before the funeral service was set to begin. Instead of panicking, Pastor Nichols engaged the man in conversation and directed people to leave the funeral home, allowing them to flee to safety. Nichols said he approached the gunman to offer him grief counseling, at which point the man used obscenities and said he did not believe in the same God as the pastor.

  • The incident occurred this past weekend at the McFall Funeral Home in Detroit.

The players

Darthanian Nichols

The pastor who calmly de-escalated the situation and helped attendees flee the funeral home when a man pulled a gun.

John Stewart

A Detroit police captain who praised the pastor's actions, calling him a hero for preventing further escalation and potential loss of life.

McFall Funeral Home

The funeral home in Detroit where the incident took place.

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What they’re saying

“This pastor … the calm he kept and the poise; he's a hero.”

— John Stewart, Detroit Police Captain

“I said, 'Hey man, I know you're feeling a lot.' He looked down at me and used some obscenities and said that he didn't even believe in the same God I believed in. I said, 'OK,' and then I walked away from the casket, and I started to make sure people were getting out of the church at that point.”

— Darthanian Nichols, Pastor

What’s next

Detroit police are encouraging the community to request assistance at funerals or repasses that may have potential security concerns, in order to ensure attendees can grieve their loved ones in peace.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of having calm, level-headed leaders who can de-escalate tense situations and prioritize the safety of those around them, even in the midst of tragedy and grief. The pastor's actions likely saved lives and prevented further violence from erupting at the funeral.