Simon Osamoh in the Media
Security expert Simon Osamoh is regularly interviewed by WCCO (CBS News Minnesota), KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, and FOX 9 on mass shootings, church and school safety, terrorism, and targeted violence. Producers and reporters can reach him for live, recorded, and on-location interviews.
10+ TV news segments · 3 Twin Cities TV stations · Testified to the Minnesota House · 5 books
AS SEEN ON
Topics Simon Covers
Former British detective and head of counterterrorism at Mall of America
Simon gives clear, calm analysis when violence makes the news, drawing on his years as a detective and his work leading security at North America’s largest mall.
Mass shootings and active-shooter response
Church, school, and house of worship safety
Terrorism and domestic violent extremism
Workplace violence and threat assessment
Retail, mall, and public venue security
Conflict de-escalation and personal safety
FEATURED INTERVIEW
“I think the Annunciation shooting really created a sense of urgency.”
Simon Osamoh on WCCO (CBS News Minnesota), October 25, 2025
Two months after the Annunciation Church attack in Minneapolis, more than 100 church leaders came to a security seminar Simon hosted. He told WCCO that many churches were reviewing their safety plans, or writing one for the first time.
TV interviews
Recent news segments featuring Simon on Twin Cities television, plus his testimony to the Minnesota House on school safety funding.
Simon testified before the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee on HF 3493, a bill to increase safe schools revenue and extend it to charter, nonpublic, and Tribal contract schools. Minnesota House of Representatives, February 24, 2026.
WCCO followed Simon as he trained Twin Cities church leaders on threat assessment and emergency planning, and on how to stay safe while keeping an open-door welcome. WCCO (CBS News Minnesota).
After federal officials called a fatal Border Patrol shooting in Minneapolis “domestic terrorism,” KSTP asked Simon, former head of counterterrorism at Mall of America, what the label means. “We need to slow the process down and follow the laws of the land.” KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, January 2026.
Eight weeks after the Annunciation shooting, hundreds of faith leaders met with security professionals at the summit Simon organized. He named “complacency and denial of danger” as one of the biggest challenges for houses of worship. FOX 9, October 25, 2025.
More than 230 clergy and ministry leaders registered for Securing Sacred Spaces, the free summit Simon’s firm hosted with speakers including Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt. KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, October 25, 2025.
KSTP previewed the House of Worship Security Summit, where Simon brought faith leaders and security professionals together after the Annunciation shooting. KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, October 25, 2025.
Days after the Annunciation Catholic Church and School shooting, Simon urged faith leaders to talk about safety planning: “I would encourage them, if they’re not having this conversation, they should definitely be having this conversation.” WCCO (CBS News Minnesota), August 2025.
Days after the Annunciation shooting, Simon spoke with KSTP about practical safety steps houses of worship can take to protect their congregations. KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, August 29, 2025.
In the news
Major stories Simon has been asked to explain:
The alleged ISIS-inspired plot targeting Mall of America (October 2026)
School safety funding at the Minnesota Legislature (February 2026)
Federal “domestic terrorism” claims after a fatal Border Patrol shooting in Minneapolis (January 2026)
Church security after the Annunciation attack and the Securing Sacred Spaces summit (October 2025)
The Annunciation Catholic Church and School shooting in Minneapolis (August 2025)
Articles and coverage
“Sense of urgency” pushing churches to consider security plans after Annunciation attack
CBS News Minnesota (WCCO) · October 25, 2025
Security seminar held with faith leaders in response to Annunciation Church shooting
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News · October 25, 2025
After recent violence in places of worship, Minneapolis company advises on how to secure churches
FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
Experts question federal claims of domestic terrorism in fatal shooting
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News · January 27, 2026
Counterterrorism expert on the alleged plot against Mall of America
CBS News Minnesota (WCCO) · October 7, 2026
After Annunciation shooting, churches boost security and threat assessment
Star Tribune · November 30, 2025
House of worship security summit pairs faith leaders with security professionals
FOX 9 · October 25, 2025
Safety planning in houses of worship after the Annunciation shooting
CBS News Minnesota (WCCO) · August 2025
Church security articles by Simon
Outreach Magazine, including “The Future of Church Security” and “From Reactive to Proactive Physical Security”
Simon has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times.
“Terrorists, or people with that sort of ideology, they favor places of mass gathering which Mall of America is.”
Simon Osamoh to CBS News Minnesota on the alleged plot against Mall of America, October 2026
Podcasts and radio
Church Safety and Security
Moody Radio, Equipped with Chris Brooks · October 17, 2025
Simon Osamoh on Threat Management That Works
The Security Student Podcast, Episode 42 · November 5, 2025
How to Leverage a Building Emergency Plan to Protect Your Church
CFX Connections Podcast, Worship Facility
Simon on Substack
Essays on targeted violence, threat management, and church safety
“It’s key to remember that deadly force is high impact, low probability.”
Simon Osamoh to FOX 9 on church security planning
Frequently asked questions
Who is a security expert in Minneapolis for news interviews?
Simon Osamoh is a Minneapolis-based security expert who regularly comments for WCCO (CBS News Minnesota), KSTP 5 Eyewitness News, and FOX 9. He is a former British detective, the former head of counterterrorism at Mall of America, and the founder of Kingswood Security Consulting.
What topics can Simon speak about?
Mass shootings and active-shooter response, church and school safety, terrorism and domestic violent extremism, workplace violence and threat assessment, retail and public venue security, and conflict de-escalation.
Is Simon available for live TV on short notice?
Yes. Simon is based in Minneapolis and does in-studio, on-location, phone, and remote video interviews, often the same day for breaking news. Use the press inquiry form below or call (952) 297-4566.
Does Simon appear on podcasts and at conferences?
Yes. He has been a guest on Moody Radio and security podcasts, and he speaks at conferences, church leadership events, and community safety trainings.
Press inquiries
Working on a story, segment, or podcast? Tell us about it and your deadline. Simon is based in Minneapolis and is available for in-studio, on-location, phone, and remote video interviews, often on short notice for breaking news.
For producers
On-air introduction: Simon Osamoh, former head of counterterrorism at Mall of America and founder of Kingswood Security Consulting
Short bio: Simon Osamoh is a Minneapolis security expert and former British detective who led counterterrorism at Mall of America. He founded Kingswood Security Consulting in 2014 and is the author of five books, including How to Survive a Mass Shooting.
Formats: in studio, on location, phone, and remote video
Direct line: (952) 297-4566 · team@kingswoodsc.com
High-resolution headshots and a longer bio are available on request