A man crashed his vehicle through the front doors of a Mormon church in Michigan, opened fire with an assault rifle and set the church ablaze, killing at least four people and wounding at least eight others before dying in a shootout with police, officials said.
Police said the perpetrator, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former US Marine from the nearby town of Burton, deliberately set fire to the church, which was engulfed in flames and billowing smoke.
The incident took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a community located about 50 miles north of Detroit.
"We do believe that we will find some additional victims once we find the area where the fire was," Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told a press conference.
Hundreds of people were in the church when Sanford drove into the building, Renye added.
The police department urged residents to avoid the area as emergency crews worked at the scene.
It said that authorities were yet to provide details on the number of injured or the circumstances surrounding the gunfire and the subsequent blaze.
As of late Sunday, law enforcement and emergency services were continuing their response. Further updates from investigators are expected as the situation develops, the report added.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump condemned the incident, calling it a "targeted attack on Christians" in the country.
I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials. The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn. This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!" he posted on Truth Social.
Vice President JD Vance too echoed Trump's sentiments and termed it an "awful attack".
"Just an awful situation in Michigan. FBI is on the scene and the entire administration is monitoring things. Say a prayer for the victims and first responders. ??", Vance tweeted.
As reported by Associated Press, many like Timothy Jones, expressed grief and disbelief as churches in the area went into lockdown. The shooting occurred just a day after the death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the faith. A church spokesperson said they were cooperating with investigators and praying for peace and healing.
The tragedy’s impact rippled through the community, with striking nurses from a nearby hospital leaving their picket line to help victims, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemning the violence as “unacceptable,” especially in a place of worship.
Source: ANI