At least four people have been confirmed dead and eight others injured after a gunman stormed a church in Michigan, United States, during Sunday worship, before being shot dead by police.
The incident occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, about 100 kilometres northwest of Detroit. According to police, the attacker, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from Burton, Michigan, drove his vehicle into the building at about 10:25 local time, opened fire with an assault-style rifle, and later set the church ablaze using an accelerant, believed to be gasoline.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye confirmed that two victims died from gunshot wounds, while two more were later found dead as officers cleared the fire-damaged church building. Several others remain unaccounted for.
Police said they engaged the suspect in a gun battle outside the church, killing him at 10:33 — just eight minutes after the attack began.
Authorities have described the incident as an “act of targeted violence” but say the motive remains unclear. Investigators are searching the suspect’s property and phone records to establish a possible reason for the attack.
Chief Renye praised the “heroism” of worshippers who shielded children during the shooting.
The FBI is leading the investigation and has deployed crisis response teams, bomb technicians, and over 100 agents to the area. Michigan State Police said officers have also responded to several bomb threats at other locations, all of which have since been cleared.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed in a statement that “multiple individuals were injured” and called for peace and healing.
US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident and described it as “yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.” Attorney General Pam Bondi described the violence as “heartbreaking and chilling,” while Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the attack, saying violence in places of worship is unacceptable.
Prominent Mormon politician Mitt Romney also described the shooting as a tragedy, saying: “My brothers and sisters and their church are targets of violence. Praying for healing and comforting.”
The church building sustained extensive fire damage as investigations continue.
Source: BBC
