Introduction to the Incident
A gunman opened fire inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service and set the building ablaze, killing at least two people and injuring eight others before police shot him, authorities said. Hundreds of people were inside the church in Grand Blanc Township when a man rammed a four-door pickup with two American flags in the truck bed through the front door, then got out of the vehicle and started shooting, Police Chief William Renye told reporters. Investigators believe he “deliberately” set the building on fire, Renye said.
Response to the Shooting
Officers responded to a 911 call and were at the church within 30 seconds and killed the shooter about seven minutes later, Renye said. After the suspect left the church, two officers pursued him and “engaged in gunfire,” the chief said. Flames and smoke could be seen pouring from the church for hours before the blaze was put out. Renye identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from neighboring Burton. Reyne did not specify a motive at a news conference on Sunday evening. Police cordoned off the street leading to the suspect’s home.
Aftermath and Injuries
Renye said one of the wounded people was in critical condition Sunday evening and seven others were stable. Earlier in the day, Renye had said authorities believed they would find more victims once they could sift through the wreckage and find where the fire was.
The church building, circled by a parking lot and a large lawn, is near residential areas and a Jehovah’s Witness church.
The Motive Was Not Yet Clear
Investigators were searching the suspect’s residence in nearby Burton. Authorities did not provide any additional details about the suspect, including whether he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church. It was the latest of many shooting attacks on houses of worship in the U.S. over the past 20 years, including one in August that killed two children during Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis.
Reaction from Authorities and the Community
President Donald Trump said in a social media post that he was briefed on the shooting and applauded the FBI for its response. Local authorities said the FBI was sending 100 agents to Grand Blanc Township, a community of roughly 40,000 people outside Flint. “PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote. Brad Schneemann, whose home is about 400 yards (365 meters) from the church, told The Associated Press that he and his daughter heard “two rounds of four to five shots” around 10:30 a.m. “Then, we really didn’t hear anything for a while” before they left their home to see what was going on.
Tight-knit Church Community
Timothy Jones, 48, said his family is part of another Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation, or ward, about 15 minutes away, but that his children were at the Grand Blanc Township ward Saturday night for a youth fall festival. He and his family moved to Flint two years ago in large part because of how strong the faith’s community is in the area, he said. As people in his congregation got word of the shooting from texts and phone calls during their Sunday service, his ward went into lockdown and police came as a precaution, he said. His children were “frantically, just trying to get word that people were OK.” Sundays are “supposed to be a time of peace and a time of reflection and worship,” Jones said. Yet in the wake of violence at other houses of worship, a shooting “feels inevitable, and all the more tragic because of that,” he added.
The Impact of the Shooting Spread Throughout the Area
The shooting occurred the morning after Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of the Utah-based faith, died at 101. The next president is expected to be Dallin H. Oaks, per church protocol. “The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected,” spokesperson Doug Anderson said. “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.” When striking nurses at nearby Henry Ford Hospital heard about the shooting, some left the picket line and ran the short distance to the church to help first responders, Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass said. “Human lives matter more than our labor dispute,” Glass said. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that her heart was breaking for the community. “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said.
Conclusion
The shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan is a tragic reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States. The incident resulted in the loss of two lives and injured eight others, leaving a community in shock and grief. As authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting, the community comes together to support the victims and their families. The incident also highlights the need for increased security measures in places of worship and the importance of addressing the root causes of gun violence.
FAQs
- Q: How many people were killed in the shooting?
A: At least two people were killed in the shooting. - Q: How many people were injured in the shooting?
A: Eight people were injured in the shooting. - Q: Who was the suspect in the shooting?
A: The suspect was identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from neighboring Burton. - Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?
A: The motive behind the shooting was not yet clear, and authorities were investigating. - Q: How did the community react to the shooting?
A: The community came together to support the victims and their families, with many expressing shock and grief over the incident.
