A devastating incident occurred at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where a gunman drove his vehicle through the front doors and opened fire on Sunday morning.
The attack left one person dead and nine others injured, with authorities fearing additional victims may be found in the ruins.
According to local police chief William Renye, the suspect, a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, deliberately set fire to the church before being shot dead by responding police officers. “The suspect drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church and then began firing at people inside with an assault rifle,” Renye said. The service was active with hundreds of people within the church.
Ten gunshot victims were transported to the hospital, including one who has died. Renye added that the fire had been extinguished but “we do believe that we will find additional victims once we have that scene secure.” Emergency services were seen escorting people on stretchers, and a large plume of dark smoke was visible at the scene.
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as “horrendous” and suggested it was another targeted attack on Christians in the United States. “This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
FBI agents are on the scene to assist the investigation, with Chief Kash Patel saying, “Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this terrible tragedy.” Attorney General Pam Bondi also expressed her condolences and said she had been briefed on the incident.
The community is in shock, with a woman living near the church saying, “My husband heard people screaming, one lady yelling for help.” Authorities are working to determine the motive behind the attack and are investigating the shooter’s residence and cell phone records.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer condemned the shooting, saying, “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable.” The investigation is ongoing, with the FBI leading the federal investigation and providing support to state and local officials.
