The seek for extra potential victims of a mass taking pictures at a Michigan church continued into Monday, after a gunman killed at the very least 4 individuals whereas a whole lot had been worshiping on Sunday morning.
Gunman Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, drove his truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday morning, earlier than taking pictures congregants and setting the constructing on hearth, in accordance with officers.
At the very least 4 individuals had been killed and eight others had been injured within the taking pictures and hearth, in accordance with police. The gunman was then killed in a shootout with responding police, regulation enforcement mentioned.
The FBI is main the investigation, calling the assault an “act of focused violence.”
Firefighters work, September 28, 2025, to place out a fireplace at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, after a gunman shot a number of individuals, in accordance with police.
Constance Deming
Officers confirmed that of these shot, one sufferer died on the scene, one other later died on the hospital and two extra people had been discovered useless on the scene as a result of hearth. Eight others stay hospitalized, seven are in secure situation and one is in crucial situation.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye instructed reporters Sunday, “We do imagine we’ll discover extra victims as soon as now we have that scene secured.”
Officers mentioned that the chapel is a “complete loss” as investigators work to comb by means of the rubble.
A supply briefed on the investigation instructed ABC Information that detectives are urgently working to find out the motive behind the taking pictures.
Investigators are working to be taught whether or not the church had been the goal of threats in current months and seeking to see whether or not the timing may very well be linked to the loss of life on Saturday of Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was 101 years outdated.
Renye mentioned throughout Sunday’s information convention that the FBI had assigned greater than 100 brokers to assist in the investigation.
Renye mentioned the gunman “ran the car by means of the entrance door, exited and began firing pictures,” including that it stays unclear what connection, if any, the suspect needed to the church.
Sanford was a veteran of the Iraq Battle, in accordance with officers. ABC Information confirmed with the USA Marine Corps that Sanford served 4 years within the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008. He in the end rose to the rank of sergeant, officers mentioned, serving one fight tour to Iraq.
President Donald Trump mentioned had been briefed on the taking pictures and hearth, writing Sunday on social media, “This seems to be one more focused assault on Christians in the USA of America.”
Folks embrace close to the scene of a taking pictures at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28, 2025. One individual was killed and several other others injured Sunday after a shooter focused a Mormon church within the US state of Michigan, the place the constructing was additionally set on hearth, authorities mentioned. The suspect, a 40-year-old man from a close-by city, was shot useless by regulation enforcement after the assault, police mentioned, with out specifying any doable motive.
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP through Getty Photographs
“The Trump Administration will hold the Public posted, as we all the time do. Within the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their households. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump mentioned.
Trump additionally wrote that the FBI is main the investigation efforts. Trump mentioned that whereas the suspect is useless, there’s “nonetheless lots to be taught.”
Vice President JD Vance posted his personal assertion on social media, calling the taking pictures and hearth at an LDS church “terrible.” He mentioned the “total” Trump administration is monitoring the incident.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer mentioned her “coronary heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc neighborhood” in an announcement on X.
“Violence anyplace, particularly in a spot of worship, is unacceptable,” she mentioned. “I’m grateful to the primary responders who took motion shortly. We are going to proceed to watch this case and maintain the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints within the Grand Blanc shut.”
ABC Information’ Luis Martinez, Chris Looft and Sasha Pezenik contributed to this report.
