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Five people, including the gunman, were killed and at least eight others injured after a mass shooting and fire at a Mormon church in Michigan, police confirmed.
The attack happened around 10:25am on Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, about 50 miles north of Detroit. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from Burton, was shot dead by officers. Sanford, a former Marine who served in Iraq between 2004 and 2008, drove a vehicle through the church doors before opening fire with an assault rifle. He then set the building on fire, authorities said.
The blaze was later contained, but police believe more victims may be found inside. By evening, two additional bodies were recovered from the church, alongside others with gunshot wounds. Officials also discovered three improvised explosive devices at the scene.
Police praised worshippers for shielding children and moving them to safety. Officers arrived within 30 seconds of the 911 call, and Sanford was neutralized within eight minutes.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said her heart was “breaking” for the community, while President Donald Trump called the incident “another targeted attack on Christians” and urged prayers for the victims.
The attack occurred just a day after Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the church, passed away.
In separate incidents across the US, three people were killed and five injured in a shooting from a boat in North Carolina, two were killed and seven injured at a Texas casino, and a woman was killed with three others injured in New Orleans’ Bourbon Street shooting.
