Deadly Attack at Mormon Church in Michigan: 4 Killed, 8 Injured in Shooting and Fire Incident

The shooting took place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc during a Sunday service.

A gunman opened fire inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan, killing at least four people and injuring eight others while also setting the building on fire. Police subsequently shot and killed the suspect.

Hundreds of congregants were present when the attacker drove a pickup truck adorned with American flags through the front entrance of the church in Grand Blanc Township. After crashing into the building, the man exited his vehicle and began shooting while also deliberately setting fire to the structure, according to Police Chief William Renye.

Law enforcement officers responded rapidly, arriving at the scene within 30 seconds of the 911 call. The shooter was neutralized approximately eight minutes later when officers engaged him in gunfire after he had left the building.

The church building continued to burn for hours, with visible flames and smoke billowing from the structure until firefighters eventually extinguished the blaze.

Authorities identified the shooter as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old resident of neighboring Burton. Chief Renye did not disclose a motive during Sunday evening's press conference. Police secured the area around the suspect's residence.

Among the injured, one person remained in critical condition on Sunday evening, while seven others were reported to be stable.

Two victims' bodies were discovered as authorities searched through the church debris, with Chief Renye noting that the search was ongoing and additional casualties might be found.

Earlier in the day, Renye had indicated that more victims could potentially be discovered once investigators were able to thoroughly examine the fire-damaged areas of the building.

Investigators conducted a search of the suspect's home in Burton. Authorities did not provide information about whether Sanford had any connection to the Mormon church.

This incident joins the unfortunately long list of attacks on houses of worship across the United States in recent decades, including the August shooting at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis that claimed the lives of two children during Mass.

President Donald Trump acknowledged being briefed on the situation and praised the FBI's response. Local officials stated that the FBI was deploying 100 agents to Grand Blanc Township, a community of approximately 40,000 residents outside Flint.

"PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!" Trump wrote on social media.

The church property, surrounded by parking areas and a large lawn, is situated near residential neighborhoods and a Jehovah's Witness church.

Brad Schneemann, who lives about 400 yards from the church, told The Associated Press that he and his daughter heard "two rounds of four to five shots" around 10:30 a.m. "Then, we really didn't hear anything for a while" before they ventured out to investigate.

Timothy Jones, 48, whose family attends another Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation approximately 15 minutes away, mentioned that his children had participated in a youth fall festival at the Grand Blanc Township ward the previous night. Jones explained that his family had moved to Flint two years earlier largely because of the strong Mormon community in the area.

As news of the shooting spread through text messages and phone calls during Sunday services, Jones's congregation implemented lockdown procedures, with police arriving as a precautionary measure. His children were "frantically, just trying to get word that people were OK."

Jones reflected that Sundays are "supposed to be a time of peace and a time of reflection and worship." Yet given the history of violence at other religious institutions, such an attack "feels inevitable, and all the more tragic because of that."

The shooting occurred just one day after the death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the Utah-based faith. Following church protocol, Dallin H. Oaks is expected to become the next president.

Church spokesperson Doug Anderson stated, "The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected."

"Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved."

In a display of community solidarity, striking nurses from nearby Henry Ford Genesys Hospital left their picket line to assist first responders at the church, according to Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass.

"Human lives matter more than our labour dispute," Glass remarked.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her heartbreak for the community in a statement, saying, "Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable."

The tragedy's impact quickly spread to neighboring communities, including the city of Grand Blanc which shares a name with the township.

"Although we are two separate governmental units, we are a very cohesive community," said Grand Blanc Mayor John Creasey. "This sort of thing is painful for our entire community."