Tragedy struck the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, after a gunman opened fire at the Mormon church and set the building on fire, killing four people.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, reported that hundreds of people were attending services around 10:25 a.m. local time when the gunman crashed his vehicle into the church. The attacker then opened fire with an assault-style rifle, shooting multiple rounds at individuals inside the building, he said. Improvised explosive devices were later found in the church.
The suspect, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, was killed by police during a shootout in the building’s parking lot. Authorities say that his motive remains unclear, however it is being investigated as a “targeted act of violence.”
Investigators are searching Sanford’s property and reviewing his phone records to determine a motive. He was a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, confirmed White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Thomas Sanford, the suspect’s father, speaking on behalf of the suspect’s family, said in a statement Monday that close relatives are “completely in shock” and “have no answers” regarding a possible motive.
Eight people were injured in addition to the four deceased. Two of the deaths were due to gunshot wounds, and the other two remain unknown as the bodies were found following the fire, said Renye in a press conference on Sunday.
During the accident, Congregants shielded children and helped them move to safety, Renye said. Medical professionals that had been attending the service helped the wounded, and nurses from a nearby hospital ran to the church to help.
“Those on the scene were absolute heroes – going in and out of the fire to drag people out, helping each other take care of the victims on the scene,” said Dr. Michael Danic, medical chief of staff at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital.
The shooting continues to be under investigation. Authorities are working to provide support to the victims and their families as the community responds to the incident.
