Everything we know about Michigan Mormon Church shooting as gunman kills four people
The suspected gunman was shot and killed at the scene by police
Four people have died after a gunman opened fire at a Mormon church before setting it ablaze.
The shooting took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, on Sunday (September 28) at around 10.25 am local time.
Authorities have described the massacre as an 'act of targeted violence’. According to police, the suspected gunman, who police named as Thomas Jacob Sanford, drove a vehicle through the church’s front doors and then opened fire with an assault rifle.
He got out of the vehicle and began shooting at people attending the Sunday service, before intentionally setting the building on fire, police said.
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According to Police Chief Bill Renye, the first officers arrived at the scene within 30 seconds of the initial reports, and they 'engaged in gunfire with that particular individual, neutralising that suspect', eight minutes after the shooting began.
Meanwhile, Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson reported around 12.20 pm that the 'entire church' was burning, although people had been evacuated.
Roughly 20 minutes later, the Grand Blanc Township Police Department said the blaze had been contained (via NBC News).
At least five people - including the suspected gunman - were killed in the attack, while approximately eight others were injured in the shooting and fire, ABC News reports.
Reyne later said in an evening press conference that two of the deceased bodies discovered in the church had gunshot wounds, and that seven of the injured victims are stable, while one is in critical condition.
The FBI is now leading an investigation into the attack, with Reyne stating that more than 100 agents have been assigned to help with the case.
Michigan State Police spokeswoman Kim Vetter also said that the police had investigated additional bomb threats in other locations, adding (via the BBC): "We've responded and cleared those locations."
Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford?
The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, from Burton, Michigan. According to NBC News, he served in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008.
According to corps records, he'd held the titles of organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator during his time in the Marines.
He reached the rank of sergeant and was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2007 to March 2008, and has received awards for his service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, military records show.
Police confirmed that he was shot and killed at the scene.
Authorities believe he used gasoline to start the fire, while some 'suspected explosive devices' were found at the scene, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
It's not clear whether they were used to initiate the blaze, however.
What have the authorities said?
Police Chief Rayne said investigators are still trying to determine exactly when and where the fire originated and how it started.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the attack, but the FBI described it as an 'act of targeted violence'.
CNN reports that a physical search of Sandfords' residence is underway.
Authorities are now obtaining search warrants for digital media that may help find a motive, according to a law enforcement source.
Elsewhere, President Donald Trump has issued a statement on the horrific attack.
He said on Truth Social that 'the suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn,' adding the shooting 'appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.'
He added: "PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!"
Meanwhile, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said that her 'heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community', adding: "Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly."
She also said that she was monitoring the situation.
There have been 381 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to the website Mass Shooting Tracker.
Topics: US News, Michigan, Police, Donald Trump
Ellie Kemp