At Least 4 Killed in Shooting and Fire at Michigan Mormon Church

Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X that she is receiving briefings on the shooting.

At least four people have died and at least eight have been injured after a gunman opened fire inside a Mormon church in Michigan and set the building ablaze, authorities said Sunday, adding that the suspected shooter has been taken down.

The shooting occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday, said authorities on social media.

So far, two churchgoers are confirmed to have died in the Sunday attack, with police warning that they could find other victims in the burned-down church. One victim of the attack is in critical condition. Seven others who were wounded in the attack are stable.

“There’s has been an active shooter at the church of Latter Day Saints on McCandlish Rd,” officials with the Grand Blanc Police Department said. “There are multiple victims and the shooter is down.”

“There has been an active shooter at the church of Latter Day Saints on McCandlish Rd,” officials with the Grand Blanc Police Department said. “There are multiple victims and the shooter is down.”

In a news conference, Chief of Police William Renye said the suspect was identified as a 40-year-old male from Burton, Michigan, named Thomas Jacob Sanford, who died at the scene of the attack.

According to officials, the first 911 call about the attack came in at 10:25 a.m. local time. Officers were on the scene to respond by 10:26 a.m.

“A 40-year-old suspect from Burton—he’s a male, he drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church,” Renye said at a briefing. “He then exited his vehicle firing several rounds at individuals within the church,” he added.

Officers had neutralized Burton by 10:33 a.m., officials said at a press conference Sunday.

Further details will be provided at a press conference later tonight at 8:00 p.m. local time.

The police department added that a reunification site for family members was set up onsite and offsite. It also advised people to avoid the area.

Local television footage revealed a significant law enforcement and emergency response presence. Footage showed that there appeared to be a significant fire at the church.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said the area had been evacuated and local and federal authorities were on scene.

“The entire church is on fire,” Swanson told The Associated Press. “This is a dynamic scene.”

Police believe the suspect deliberately set the building on fire.

“There’s a lot of things that are happening that we are not able to communicate just because of the work that needs to be done,” Swanson added.

Grand Blanc is a community of around 8,000 located outside Flint, Michigan, roughly 70 miles northwest of Detroit. The church, encircled by a parking lot and a large lawn, is located near residential areas and a Jehovah’s Witness church in Grand Blanc.

Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a post on X that she is being briefed.

“I am receiving briefings about what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan,” Bondi said. “@FBI and @ATFHQ agents are en route to the scene now. Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy.”

FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the violence at that the church, adding that agents are on the scene investigating and that his office is monitoring the situation.

By Jack Phillips

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