What we know about the Michigan church shooting and fire that killed 4 people

Reuters

Shooter kills two, wounds eight at Mormon church in Michigan

At least four people died and eight others wounded, one of them in critical condition as of Sunday evening, after a gunman rammed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., during a Sunday service, opened fire and set the chapel ablaze.

FOX 2 Detroit

The Associated Press

At least four people died and eight others wounded, one of them in critical condition as of Sunday evening, after a gunman rammed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., during a Sunday service, opened fire and set the chapel ablaze.

Two victims died in the shooting, while two others are believed to have been trapped in the building and died in flames. Local authorities said that there could be more victims related to the fire as a cleanup of the church has yet to be completed.

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit News

Two victims died in the shooting, while two others are believed to have been trapped in the building and died in flames. Local authorities said that there could be more victims related to the fire as a cleanup of the church has yet to be completed.

Police identified the lone suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008, according to U.S. military records and his mother's Facebook account.

New York Post

Police identified the lone suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008, according to U.S. military records and his mother's Facebook account.

Two officers, one from Grand Blanc Township police and another from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, responded to the scene within 30 seconds of the first 911 call and neutralized the suspect.

BBC News

Mlive

Two officers, one from Grand Blanc Township police and another from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, responded to the scene within 30 seconds of the first 911 call and neutralized the suspect.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman said in a press conference on Sunday that the bureau has taken over the shooting investigation, adding that the incident is being investigated as an "act of targeted violence."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman said in a press conference on Sunday that the bureau has taken over the shooting investigation, adding that the incident is being investigated as an "act of targeted violence."

According to the local police chief, hundreds of worshippers were inside the church in the town that is home to about 40,000 people. Grand Blanc is located outside Flint, 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit.

According to the local police chief, hundreds of worshippers were inside the church in the town that is home to about 40,000 people. Grand Blanc is located outside Flint, 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit.

NBC #1

Reuters #0

At least four people were killed and eight others wounded, one of them in critical condition as of Sunday evening, after a gunman rammed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., during a Sunday service, opened fire and set the chapel ablaze.

FOX 2 Detroit #

The Associated Press #

At least four people were killed and eight others wounded, one of them in critical condition as of Sunday evening, after a gunman rammed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., during a Sunday service, opened fire and set the chapel ablaze.

Two victims died in the shooting, while two others are believed to have been trapped in the building and died in flames. Local authorities stated that there could be more victims related to the fire as a cleanup of the church has yet to be completed.

Detroit Free Press #

The Detroit News #

Reuters #

Two victims died in the shooting, while two others are believed to have been trapped in the building and died in flames. Local authorities stated that there could be more victims related to the fire as a cleanup of the church has yet to be completed.

New York Post #

Two officers — one from Grand Blanc Township police and another from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources — responded within 32 seconds and engaged Sanford in gunfire, killing him by 10:33 a.m. in the church parking lot.</span

BBC News #

Mlive #

Two officers — one from Grand Blanc Township police and another from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources — responded within 32 seconds and engaged Sanford in gunfire, killing him by 10:33 a.m. in the church parking lot.

Sanford rammed his Chevy Silverado pickup truck through the front entrance of the church at 10:25 a.m. before exiting the vehicle and opening fire with an assault-style rifle on hundreds of worshippers attending the Sunday service.</span

Sanford rammed his Chevy Silverado pickup truck through the front entrance of the church at 10:25 a.m. before exiting the vehicle and opening fire with an assault-style rifle on hundreds of worshippers attending the Sunday service.

President Donald Trump called the incident another targeted attack on Christians in America, while Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the violence as unacceptable, particularly in a place of worship.</span

President Donald Trump called the incident another targeted attack on Christians in America, while Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the violence as unacceptable, particularly in a place of worship.

Christianity faces a targeted epidemic of violence across America that demands immediate action. The attack on the Mormon church in Michigan represents another deliberate assault on Christian worshippers in their sacred spaces. This pattern of anti-Christian violence threatens the religious freedom that forms the bedrock of American society.

Christianity faces a targeted epidemic of violence across America that demands immediate action. The attack on the Mormon church in Michigan represents another deliberate assault on Christian worshippers in their sacred spaces. This pattern of anti-Christian violence threatens the religious freedom that forms the bedrock of American society.</span

Donald Trump

Truth Social

Truth Social #

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Right-wing conspiracy theorists immediately exploited the Michigan church shooting to spread baseless anti-Muslim hatred and political fear-mongering. Despite zero evidence about the shooter's identity or motives, extremists blamed Muslims, Democrats and LGBTQ+ people while promoting dangerous theories. These reckless accusations fuel division and hatred in communities across America.

Right-wing conspiracy theorists immediately exploited the Michigan church shooting to spread baseless anti-Muslim hatred and political fear-mongering. Despite zero evidence about the shooter's identity or motives, extremists blamed Muslims, Democrats and LGBTQ+ people while promoting dangerous theories. These reckless accusations fuel division and hatred in communities across America.</span

The Daily Beast

The Daily Beast #

MAGA Blame Game Erupts Moments After Mormon Church Shooting

Gunman Kills at Least 4 in Attack at a Mormon Church in Michigan

*** GETTY *** Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images

Gunman Kills at Least 4 in Attack at a Mormon Church in Michigan

Murders and attempted murders

Religion

United States of America

Violence & assaults

The tragic attack on a Mormon church in Michigan is the latest example of the global epidemic of persecution against Christians. It's about time for church leaders to realize that they must take ownership for the security of worshippers and adapt to this new reality, because America has yet to wake up to what is going on.

The tragic attack on a Mormon church in Michigan is the latest example of the global epidemic of persecution against Christians. It's about time for church leaders to realize that they must take ownership for the security of worshippers and adapt to this new reality, because America has yet to wake up to what is going on.

Newsmax

Pastor Miles to Newsmax: Church Leaders Must Bolster Security

Far-right conspiracy theorists immediately exploited the Michigan church shooting to spread baseless allegations that this tragic incident was part of a hate attacks against Christians. Despite zero evidence about the shooter's motives, they are promoting dangerous claims that only fuel division and hatred across America.

Far-right conspiracy theorists immediately exploited the Michigan church shooting to spread baseless allegations that this tragic incident was part of a hate attacks against Christians. Despite zero evidence about the shooter's motives, they are promoting dangerous claims that only fuel division and hatred across America.

At Least 4 Dead in Attack at a Mormon Church in Michigan

GunmanAt Kills at Least 4 Dead in Attack at a Mormon Church in Michigan

The Spin

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At Least 4 Dead in Attack at a Mormon Church in Michigan

GunmanAt Kills at Least 4 Dead in Attack at a Mormon Church in Michigan

The Spin

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