Attack on Michigan Latter-day Saints Church

At least four people were killed and eight others injured when a gunman in a pickup truck smashed through the doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service attended by hundreds, opened fire, and set the building ablaze. Police shot and killed the suspect, authorities said.

The attack happened at about 10:25 a.m. when the gunman drove a four-door pickup truck with two American flags into the church, Police Chief William Renye said. The suspect exited the vehicle and began shooting. Authorities believe he used gas to ignite the fire inside and also had explosive devices, though it was unclear if they were deployed, said James Dier of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The shooter was identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, a nearby town. The FBI is leading the investigation and described the assault as an “act of targeted violence,” according to Ruben Coleman, special agent in charge. Officers arrived within 30 seconds of a 911 call and killed Sanford about eight minutes later after pursuing him and engaging in gunfire, Renye said.

Inside the church, worshippers shielded children and moved them to safety. Flames and smoke poured from the building for hours before firefighters extinguished the blaze. Two bodies were discovered during a search of the debris, Renye confirmed, adding that authorities had not yet made it through the entire building and more victims could be found. One of the injured was in critical condition by Sunday evening, while seven others were stable. Some people remained unaccounted for.

Michigan State Police Lt. Kim Vetter said bomb threats were made at other churches in the area after Sanford was killed, though no explosives were found. Authorities searched Sanford’s residence but released no details about findings or whether he was affiliated with the Latter-day Saints church.

Military records obtained by *The Detroit News* show Sanford served in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008 as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator. He was deployed to Iraq from August 2007 to March 2008 and held the rank of sergeant.

The incident marked the latest in a string of U.S. shootings targeting houses of worship in the past 20 years, including an August attack at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis that killed two children during Mass. It was also the second mass shooting in the country within 24 hours; on Saturday night, a gunman in a boat opened fire in Southport, North Carolina, killing three and wounding five.

President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he had been briefed on the Michigan shooting and commended the FBI for its response. Local officials confirmed the agency was sending 100 agents to Grand Blanc Township, a community of about 40,000 people near Flint. “PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote.

The Latter-day Saints church building, surrounded by a lawn and parking lot, is located near residential neighborhoods and a Jehovah’s Witness church.

Neighbor Brad Schneemann, who lives about 400 yards from the chapel, said he and his daughter heard “two rounds of four to five shots” around 10:30 a.m. before stepping outside to see what happened.

Timothy Jones, 48, a member of another Latter-day Saints congregation 15 minutes away, said his children had attended a youth festival at the Grand Blanc Township ward the previous night. As news of the shooting spread by text and phone during his own ward’s Sunday service, the congregation went into lockdown with police present as a precaution. Jones said his children were “frantically, just trying to get word that people were OK.”

The attack came the morning after Russell M. Nelson, 101, the oldest-ever president of the Utah-based church, died. His expected successor is Dallin H. Oaks, in accordance with church protocol.

Church spokesperson Doug Anderson said in a statement, “The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected. Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”

Striking nurses from nearby Henry Ford Genesys Hospital rushed from their picket line to assist first responders after learning of the attack, according to Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass. “Human lives matter more than our labor dispute,” Glass said.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed condolences, saying in a statement, “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable.”

Grand Blanc Mayor John Creasey said the tragedy affected the wider community. “Although we are two separate governmental units, we are a very cohesive community,” he said. “This sort of thing is painful for our entire community.”

On Sunday evening, about 100 people gathered at The River Church, a nondenominational Christian church five miles from the Latter-day Saints chapel, for a prayer service. Many bowed their heads in silence, some wept, and others prayed aloud for the victims, their families, and first responders.

“We live in days that are difficult and troubled, days that are weary and tiring,” Pastor Chuck Lindsey said. “We’re exhausted by the evil, we’re exhausted by these things. But Lord, you are our refuge.”

In situations like this, law enforcement officers are often reminded of the importance of proper gear. Speaking of equipment, products such as the High Speed Gear HSGI Kydex Handcuff Taco are widely used by officers in the field to keep essential restraints accessible during high-pressure incidents.