A Sunday worship service in Michigan turned into a scene of horror after a gunman drove into a church, opened fire on worshippers, and set the building on fire. At least four people are now confirmed dead, and several others were injured before police shot the attacker dead.
How the attack unfolded
The violence unfolded at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. Earlier, Police confirmed that at two four people died and eight were injured. Later, during an ongoing search of the debris at the burned-down church, authorities recovered two additional bodies, raising the total death count to four. Renye said, “So that makes our total victim count up to four victims.”Around 10:25 am (local time), the suspect crashed his truck into the church, opened fire with an assault-style rifle, and started a blaze. Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, like an explosion, before gunfire erupted, according to the New York Times.Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said the suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, died following an exchange of gunfire with officers. The entire episode lasted roughly 10 minutes, according to the news agency AP.
The suspect’s background
Sanford was a former US Marine, serving from 2004 to 2008, with a deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He lived about seven miles away in Burton. Investigators searched his home with bomb squads after reports of possible explosive devices inside the church, as per the New York Post.Social media posts suggested he was married and had a young son. A 2015 fundraising page revealed his child was born with a rare medical condition, reported the Post.
Casualties and survivors
Police reported one victim in critical condition and seven others stable. Witnesses recalled sudden chaos inside the church. They reported a loud boom, similar to an explosion, followed by gunfire. “I thought maybe the steeple had fallen down,” said Kristin Juarez, whose husband helped carry one victim to a truck. As per New York Times, Paul Kirby said he went outside and saw a man exit his truck and open fire with a rifle. A bullet shattered the glass door near him, and a piece of shrapnel struck his leg before he ran inside to gather his family and get them to safety.All he could recall of that moment, Kirby said in an interview, was “extreme fear.” The moment felt to him like “just waiting for that hit.”
Emergency response
Striking nurses from a nearby hospital joined first responders to treat victims.“Human lives matter more than our labour dispute,” said Dan Glass, Teamsters Local 332 President, as quoted by AP. Fire crews battled the blaze, which left the church building completely destroyed.
Reactions
US President Donald Trump urged prayers for victims and wrote on Truth Social: “This Epidemic of violence in our country must end, immediately!”.Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the violence, calling it “unacceptable in any place, especially a place of worship.”“Although we are two separate governmental units, we are a very cohesive community. This sort of thing is painful for our entire community”, said city of Grand Blanc Mayor John Creasey.
The church community
The attack occurred just a day after the death of Russell M. Nelson, president of the global church, at age 101. The Grand Blanc Township ward had about 150 members.A spokesperson said the church was cooperating with police and stressed, “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection”.
Ongoing investigation
Authorities are still piecing together Sanford’s motive. Bomb squads cleared the scene, but investigators are reviewing his background, military history, and social media activity to determine what triggered the deadly rampage.Investigators confirmed Sanford used a Chevy Silverado truck with two American flags and deer antlers on the bumper.