Bomb threats and Backpacks. Is your safety team prepared for responding to bomb threats in church?
Bomb threats have become increasingly common across the country – not just in schools, government buildings, and businesses, but in churches too. Places of worship, once seen as sacred and safe, are now high on the list of soft targets. While studies show that about 90% of bomb threats are hoaxes, designed to disrupt services and spread fear, there are times when the threat turns out to be very real.
In November 2023, Zimnako Salah planted a black backpack in a Roseville, California church during Sunday services. He left as quickly as he entered, and what he left behind caused panic. Children were evacuated, emergency responders were dispatched, and worship was halted.
The backpack? A pillow. The impact? Traumatic.
The threat didn’t stop in Roseville. Salah targeted four churches across three states, all Christian organizations, all unsuspecting. Though none of the backpacks contained bombs, the perception of danger sparked chaos, and reminded us why faith-based organizations must prepare for both real and hoax threats.
Churches and Bomb Threats
- Bomb Hoaxes Cause Harm: Even when no device is found, evacuations, disruptions, fear, and reputational damage can ripple through a church community.
- Houses of Worship are Soft Targets: Their open-door nature, symbolic value, and public schedules make them attractive to those looking to make a statement – whether ideological or delusional.
- Preparedness is Faith in Action: Training your team to respond calmly, compassionately, and correctly reflects good stewardship of the people and place God has entrusted to your care.
Five Core Principles for Bomb Threat Response
- Recognize Suspicious Items
Backpacks, Duffle Bags, briefcases, or containers left unattended, especially near high-traffic areas, children’s ministry, and the sanctuary, should always be treated with caution. - Evacuate with Purpose, Not Panic
Use plain language or rehearsed evacuation cues. Avoid the word “bomb” over radios and communication systems. Guide people to pre-designated muster points. - Request Law Enforcement Immediately
Don’t delay. Let the professionals handle any suspected device. Share exact locations, descriptions, and any potential suspect information. - Secure, Don’t Touch
Never open, move, or inspect a suspicious item. Secure the area, keep people clear, and wait for law enforcement to arrive and evaluate further. - Debrief, Document, and Strengthen
After the all-clear, review your team’s response. Document the incident, update your safety plan, and use it as a training opportunity.
Faith-Based Response: Courage – Calm – Compassion
Jesus never promised safety, but He did promise peace in the midst of storms. Whether a threat is real or a hoax, your church’s response can be a powerful testimony of strength under pressure. Your safety team isn’t just securing a building, they’re stewarding souls. Their role goes beyond protecting the physical space of the church; they are charged with the care and protection of God’s Children inside, both physically and spiritually.
In a church safety ministry, you’re not just a guardian, you’re a caretaker. The way you respond in moments of crisis reflects your calling to serve others with wisdom, compassion, and responsibility. Train like it matters – because it does.
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Vigilance Starts in the Parking Lot
The best response to a bomb threat is to prevent it from ever getting through the front door. Your parking attendants, greeters, ushers, and safety team are the first line of defense and with the right awareness, they can identify and interrupt potential threats before they enter your church. Here’s how to stay vigilant without compromising your church’s welcoming spirit:
Watch for Suspicious Behavior
- Arriving unusually early or late, loitering, or refusing eye contact
- Wearing oversized clothing or heavy layers in warm weather
- Carrying bags, backpacks, or packages with unusual care or urgency
- Seeming nervous, scanning exits, or watching cameras and staff closely
Pay Attention to Unattended Items
- Question any bag or package left alone, especially in restrooms, pews, under chairs, in high traffic areas, and near exits.
- If you see something, say something, alert your safety team discreetly.
- Use radios or silent alerts to coordinate investigation without alarming others.
Train Your Team to Spot the Unusual
- Walk the facility before and during services, don’t forget to check stairwells, lobbies, and corners.
- Have designated “observer posts” near primary doors and lobbies.
- Be familiar with your regular congregation and notice unfamiliar faces who avoid interaction.
Balance Vigilance with Hospitality
- Don’t jump to conclusions, but don’t ignore warning signs either.
- Use conversation, the “Power of Hello,” to engage visitors and assess their behavior.
- Remember: a warm greeting should be both welcoming and part of your threat assessment protocol.
De-escalation Training
Public Safety Training LLC | Church Security-101 provides De-Escalation Training that emphasizes vigilance for behaviors of concern. Contact us for a FREE Training Quote – Michael@churchsecurity-101.com – A prayerful eye and a trained mind can go a long way in keeping God’s house safe.
Bomb Threats and Backpacks
A common question we get from church safety members is “What should we do if someone enters the church with a backpack and is acting suspiciously, but hasn’t made a threat?
Treat the situation seriously but calmly. Having trained safety team members make non-confrontational contact (Power of Hello), greet them warmly and engage in casual conversation to assess their behavior. Ask if you can help them or offer to store their bag for convenience. Most people attending your church are open and engaging, they respond in kind to a welcoming greeting. A person’s intent will be evident in how they respond, and their behavior should be assessed during this interaction.
Watch for Red Flags
Nervous behavior, avoiding eye contact, unusual responses, or refusal to cooperate. If concerns remain, the team should follow your church’s Suspicious Person(s) protocol. If possible, deny entry, escort them to a safe area away from others, and/or request law enforcement.
Use De-Escalation Techniques:
- Speak with a calm, respectful tone
- Avoid aggressive posture or crowding
- Listen without judgment
- Offer choices (“Would you like to talk with me outside or do you want to speak with the pastor first?).
Always prioritize safety, compassion, and policy. If the person refuses to cooperate and leave the premises or begins to escalate, the team may need to evacuate others from the area and request law enforcement.
Sidebar: The Zimnako Salah Incident – Roseville, CA
In November 2023, Zimnako Salah, a 45-year-old man from Phoenix, Arizona, entered a Christian church in Roseville, California, during Sunday services. He affixed a black backpack to a toilet in the men’s restroom and exited the building within minutes. The unattended backpack caused immediate concern among congregants, leading to the evacuation of children and prompting a 911 call. Jerusalem Post+4CBS News+4Justice.gov+4KCRA+1CBS News+1
Although the backpack contained only a pillow, the incident was part of a much broader plan. Between September and November 2023, Salah targeted four Christian churches across Arizona, California, and Colorado. In two instances, he successfully planted backpacks; in the other two, vigilant security personnel confronted him before he could do so. Persecution+5Justice.gov+5CBS News+5
Investigations revealed that Salah was concurrently assembling a functional improvised explosive device (IED) capable of fitting inside a backpack. A search of his storage unit uncovered components consistent with bomb-making materials. Additionally, his online activity included viewing extremist propaganda, such as ISIS execution videos. Jerusalem Post+1KCRA+1KCRA+2CBS News+2Justice.gov+2
In April 2025, a federal jury convicted Salah of conveying a hoax bomb threat and obstructing the free exercise of religion, classifying the offenses as hate crimes. He faces sentencing in July 2025, with a potential maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Persecution+6Justice.gov+6KCRA+6
Key Takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of preparedness for both genuine and hoax threats. Safety teams must remain vigilant, ensuring that any suspicious items are treated with caution and that evacuation protocols are executed calmly to maintain safety and order.ABC10+3Justice.gov+3KCRA+3
FAQ
Stay calm, keep the caller on the line, and gather as much information as possible. Use a Bomb Threat Checklist which contains pre-planned response actions. Signal another team member to call 911. Begin evacuation quietly and efficiently if the threat is deemed credible.
Treat any unattended bag or package as suspicious, especially in unusual locations or near entry points. Church security can immediately assess the situation and take necessary response actions to safeguard the church and its community.
Treat every threat as real until cleared by authorities. Hoaxes still cause fear, disruption, and trauma and are often part of a broader plan. Your team’s calm response protects people and reflects preparedness. Afterward, document the incident, debrief your team, and make necessary updates to your church plan.
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aUTHOR
Michael Elerick is the President of Public Safety Training LLC | Church Security-101. He retired from law enforcement as a Special Operations Commander and SWAT Commander. Michael served as the Executive Director of the Public Safety Training Institute (2010-2020), a non-profit public safety training organization, and has over three decades of experience as a Risk Manager and Security and Tactical expert.
Michael is the author of Church Safety & Security 101, Emergency Preparedness for Church Volunteers, Church Security Team Development, Church Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), among other works.Church Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), among other works.
