Four dead and eight injured in shooting and fire at Michigan church, according to police reports.
A tragic shooting incident occurred on Sunday morning at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals, with eight others injured. Authorities reported that the gunman, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from the nearby city of Burton, was shot and killed by police during the ensuing chaos.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the tragedy unfolded when Sanford drove a four-door pickup truck, adorned with two American flags, through the church’s front entrance around 10:30 AM. Following his vehicle’s impact, he exited the truck and opened fire on the congregation, which numbered in the hundreds at the time. After the initial attack, police officers, responding to a 911 call, arrived at the scene within 30 seconds and had neutralized the suspect approximately eight minutes later.
As the situation progressed, firefighters battled flames that engulfed the church building, which continued to burn for hours following the shooting. During this search, authorities indicated that the bodies of two victims were recovered from the wreckage. Police Chief William Renye confirmed that one of the injured was in critical condition, while seven others were reported stable.
The motive behind Sanford’s actions remains unclear, and investigators are currently examining his residence in Burton for more clues. It has yet to be determined whether the suspect was affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This assault represents the latest in a troubling history of attacks on places of worship in the United States over the past two decades. It is especially poignant coming just one day after the church mourned the death of Russell M. Nelson, the revered president of the faith, who passed away at the age of 101.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed her heartbreak over the incident, condemning violence in any form, particularly within a sacred space. She emphasized the need for community support and healing in the wake of this tragedy.
The impact of the shooting reverberated throughout the local community, as shown by the immediate response from striking nurses at a nearby hospital who left their picket line to assist first responders at the scene. Brad Schneemann, a local resident, described the panic that ensued as information about the shooting spread quickly among families in the area.
Church spokesperson Doug Anderson noted that the institution is in ongoing communication with law enforcement and extends prayers for peace and healing to all affected. As investigations progress, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event.
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