A quiet Sunday morning service in Grand Blanc, Michigan, turned into a nightmare when a gunman set fire to a Mormon church and opened fire on congregants.
At least two people have died, and several more are in critical condition after the horrific attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Police confirmed that hundreds of worshippers, including children, were inside the building at the time of the incident.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye described the situation as chaotic and devastating.
Shooter Identified as Iraq War Veteran
The suspected attacker has been named by the New York Post as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, an Iraq War veteran, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities.
Sanford reportedly lived in nearby Burton and served in Iraq from 2004 to 2009.
Social media profiles suggest he had a wife and children.
Police say the gunman rammed his vehicle through the front entrance of the church before opening fire with an assault rifle.
Officers on the scene shot him dead as flames consumed the building.
Church Fire and Aftermath
The fire quickly engulfed the chapel, and witnesses described scenes of panic as smoke billowed across the area.
A silver truck, with two American flags in the trunk, was left lodged against the building’s exterior.
Emergency responders rushed to help the wounded, with at least one person carried out on a stretcher.
Grand Blanc is a suburb of Flint, roughly 60 miles northwest of central Detroit.
Videos and photographs from the scene show the church nearly destroyed by flames, while three improvised devices were discovered nearby, according to senior law enforcement officials.
Authorities Investigate Motive
Police and FBI investigators are combing through the suspect’s home and phone records to determine a motive.
Chief Renye noted that additional victims may still be found once the scene is fully secured.
He described the church service as “active,” with more than a hundred people inside at the time of the attack.
National Leaders React to Shooting
President Donald Trump addressed the attack on Truth Social, calling it part of an “epidemic of violence” in the U.S.
He confirmed that the FBI was leading the investigation and urged Americans to pray for the victims and their families.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also expressed her sorrow, calling violence in places of worship “unacceptable” and praising first responders for their swift action.
Church Responds to Tragedy
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated it is working closely with local authorities to understand what happened and to support affected families.
Spokesperson Doug Andersen said the church is grateful for emergency responders and the global outpouring of prayers.
He emphasized that places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peace and connection.
Tragedy Follows Loss of Church President
The attack comes just a day after the death of Russel M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Nelson, who had led the church since 2018, was the oldest-ever president in the church’s history.