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Michigan church shooting and arson attack: Death toll rises to four Investigators search for motive in deadly Michigan church attack
(about 4 hours later)
Watch: Drone footage shows fire at Michigan churchWatch: Drone footage shows fire at Michigan church
At least four people were killed and eight others injured after a gunman drove a vehicle into a Michigan church, opened fire and set the building ablaze, before being killed himself, police say. Investigators in Michigan have interviewed more than 100 people as they work to establish why a gunman drove his vehicle into a church, opened fire and then set the building ablaze.
Officials said the attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a town 60 miles (100km) northwest of Detroit, happened during a Sunday service attended by hundreds of people. In a Monday news conference, the state's Governor Gretchen Whitmer called for patience as the FBI works to determine a motive for the attack on Sunday.
The suspect, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from Burton, Michigan, was later shot dead by police in the building's car park. Four people were killed and eight others were injured when the suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, attacked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc. He was later shot dead by police in the car park.
Authorities are investigating the incident as an "act of targeted violence", but say the motive remains unclear. Hundreds of people were attending a service at the time, and police said on Monday that everyone had been accounted for.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was "trying to understand more about this, how premeditated it was, how much planning went into it, whether he left a note".White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was "trying to understand more about this, how premeditated it was, how much planning went into it, whether he left a note".
Two victims died from gunshot wounds, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told a news conference on Sunday. On Monday, officials said it was an "act of targeted violence" but the motive was still unclear.
He later said two more people had been found dead and "some" others remained unaccounted for, though he could not say how many. The church was still being "cleared" on Sunday night after suffering extensive fire damage, he added. Governor Whitmer asked that people lower the "temperature of rhetoric" and noted that while it might feel natural to want to know why this attack happened, speculating is "unhelpful and it can be downright dangerous".
Chief Renye said hundreds of people were attending services at about 10:25 local time (15:25 GMT) when a gunman drove a vehicle into the building. She and law enforcement asked for people to be patient for answers.
The attacker then opened fire with an assault-style rifle, "firing several rounds at individuals within the church," he explained. Authorities worked throughout Sunday to clear the building- which was fully engulfed in flames - and ensure all of those who were attending services were accounted for.
The police responded immediately to the scene, Chief Renye said, adding officers "engaged in gunfire with that particular individual, neutralising that suspect". Sanford was killed at 10:33 local time, eight minutes after the shooting. "We are still trying to determine exactly when and where the fire ended up coming from and how it got started," Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said on Monday.
"We are still trying to determine exactly when and where the fire ended up coming from and how it got started," the police chief said. The suspect had used an accelerant - most likely petrol - to start the blaze, authorities said.
The suspect had used an accelerant - most likely gasoline - to start the blaze, authorities said. Two victims were initially found dead of gunshot wounds, and two others were later found dead in the building as police searched.
Chief Renye also praised the "heroism" of churchgoers who had sheltered children in the church during the incident. Authorities have still not publicly identified those killed in the attack or given any indication on whether the suspect had any links to the church.
Watch: Church-goers sheltered children in act of 'heroism' say police Official: All accounted for in Michigan church attack
Investigators are conducting a search of the suspect's property and examining his cell-phone records as they work to establish a motive. Investigators are conducting a search of the suspect's property and examining his mobile phone records.
Sanford was a Marine Corps veteran and served in Iraq, Leavitt confirmed to reporters on Monday. Sanford was a Marine Corps veteran and served in Iraq, Leavitt told reporters on Monday.
The FBI is leading the investigation and has deployed crisis response teams, bomb technicians and others to the scene, according to Reuben Coleman, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office.The FBI is leading the investigation and has deployed crisis response teams, bomb technicians and others to the scene, according to Reuben Coleman, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office.
Michigan State Police spokeswoman Kim Vetter told reporters that officers have been responding to additional bomb threats at multiple other locations.
"We've responded and cleared those locations," she said.
In a statement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed that a gunman opened fire during worship services, and "multiple individuals were injured".In a statement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed that a gunman opened fire during worship services, and "multiple individuals were injured".
"We pray for peace and healing for all involved.""We pray for peace and healing for all involved."
Grand Blanc police said that 100 FBI agents have been deployed to assist with the investigation.Grand Blanc police said that 100 FBI agents have been deployed to assist with the investigation.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the shooting. President Donald Trump called the attack "yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America".
Writing on Truth Social, he described it as "yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America".
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that she had received briefings on "what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire" at the church.US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that she had received briefings on "what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire" at the church.
"Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling," Bondi said."Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling," Bondi said.
"Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy.""Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy."
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the incident, saying: "Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable," adding that she was monitoring the situation.
Mitt Romney, former US senator for Utah and one of the most prominent Mormon politicians, called the shooting a "tragedy", adding: "My brothers and sisters and their church are targets of violence. Praying for healing and comforting."Mitt Romney, former US senator for Utah and one of the most prominent Mormon politicians, called the shooting a "tragedy", adding: "My brothers and sisters and their church are targets of violence. Praying for healing and comforting."
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