A Sunday worship service turned into chaos and tragedy when a gunman drove his truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, before opening fire on congregants and setting the building ablaze, authorities said.
At least four people were killed and eight others injured in the attack, which police described as a deliberate act of targeted violence. The gunman, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, was killed in a shootout with responding officers.
The incident unfolded around 10:25 a.m. as “hundreds of people” attended services. Grand Blanc Township Police Chief Brian Renye said Sanford rammed his vehicle through the church’s front doors, exited with an assault rifle, and began firing. He later ignited the building using gasoline as an accelerant, causing a five-alarm blaze that led to a partial structural collapse.
Authorities confirmed that one victim died at the scene, another at the hospital, and two others perished in the fire. Of the eight wounded, seven remain in stable condition while one is in critical condition.
The FBI, now leading the investigation, is treating the incident as “an act of targeted violence.” Investigators are exploring possible motives, including whether Sanford’s attack was linked to the recent death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the Church, who passed away Saturday in Salt Lake City.
In the aftermath, Michigan State Police responded to multiple bomb threats at nearby locations, including other churches, though none were confirmed as active threats.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed heartbreak over the tragedy, calling violence in places of worship “unacceptable.” FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the shooting, labeling it a “cowardly and criminal act,” while Vice President JD Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi also offered condolences and confirmed federal agencies were assisting at the scene.
Church spokesperson Doug Anderson said in a statement that the congregation is “deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from around the world,” adding, “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peace, prayer, and connection. We pray for healing for all involved.”
The attack marks one of the deadliest assaults on a U.S. church in recent years and follows a series of violent incidents targeting religious institutions across the country.
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