A gunman rammed his vehicle into a Mormon church in Michigan on Sunday before opening fire with an assault rifle and setting the building ablaze, killing at least four people and injuring several others in what authorities described as a targeted attack.
Police said the attacker, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, drove his truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, near Flint, then began shooting and used an accelerant, believed to be gasoline, to set the church on fire.
Grand Blanc Police Chief William Renye said the suspect was killed by officers in the church parking lot eight minutes after the first emergency call was received.
Earlier, officials reported two deaths. Renye later confirmed that two additional bodies were recovered from the debris, bringing the death toll to four. Eight people were wounded, including one in critical condition. Search efforts were continuing late Sunday in the burned-down structure.
Photos from the scene showed the church reduced to ashes, with Sanford’s truck embedded in its side, two U.S. flags mounted on its rear. Authorities said some suspected explosive devices were found, though it was unclear if they were used to ignite the fire.
The FBI is leading the investigation. Special Agent Reuben Coleman said the attack was being treated “as an act of targeted violence.”
Hundreds of worshippers were inside the building when the assault began, and officials warned that more victims could be found.
In nearby Burton, a heavy police presence was reported outside Sanford’s home. U.S. media said he was a local military veteran, though officials released no further details.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump called the shooting “horrendous” and described it as “yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.” In a Truth Social post, he wrote: “THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called the incident a “tragic act of violence,” writing on social media, “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”
The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the U.S. following a series of high-profile shootings, including the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk in Utah and a deadly attack at a federal immigration facility in Texas. A month earlier, two children were killed in a mass shooting at a Catholic church and school in Minnesota.
The tragedy also coincided with the death of Russell Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the Mormon church. Trump paid tribute to him, describing Nelson as “a physician, literally and spiritually, and will be greatly missed!”