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The shooter, Thomas Jacob Sanford (Facebook photo)
Updated: 8:15 p.m. Sunday -- Police said this evening that they found two more dead victims in the Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township, raising the count to five: four dead victims and the shooter. There are eight wounded victims, seven in stable condition and one in critical.
Reuben C. Coleman, acting head of the Detroit FBI field office, said Sunday night that his agency is leading the investigation, looking into it as an act of targeted violence.
Authorities said there could be more bodies in the church, that was set afire, likely with gasoline. Some suspected explosive devices were also found.
The shooter, Thomas Jacob Sandford, 40, served in the Marines from June 2004 through June 2008, The Detroit News reports, citing records provided by the U.S. Marines.
He was deployed to Iraq from August 2007 through March 2008 and had the rank of sergeant. In the military, he was an organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator.
President Donald Trump earlier in the day posted this on Truth Social: "This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America."
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sunday ordered U.S. and Michigan flags in the State Capitol Complex and on all public buildings and grounds across the state lowered to half-staff immediately through Friday to honor and remember the victims of the shooting at the church.
“My heart is breaking for this community,” she said in a statement. “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly.”
Update: 5:18 p.m., Sunday -- The shooter has been identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford,40, of Burton, a suburb of Flint. Authorities said one wounded victim is in critical condition and seven are in stable condition.
Update: 3:40 p.m. Sunday -- Authorities said three people were dead, including the shooter, and eight were wounded in a mass shooting Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, about seven miles southeast of Flint. The building was also on fire, but was later extinguished by firefighters.
Authorities said the shooter, a 40-year-old from Burton, a suburb of Flint, whose name was not immediately released, rammed a vehicle into the front door of the church around 10:25 a.m. and opened fire with an assault rife. Law enforcement ended up shooting the gunman. He was also suspected of setting the building on fire.
Former Sen. Mitt Romney, a Mormon and a Michigan native, issued a statement on X:
"Tragedy in Michigan as my brothers and sisters and their church are targets of violence. Praying for healing and comforting."
Update: 1:20 p.m. Sunday -- Police say the fire has been contained.
Multiple people were shot Sunday morning at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, about seven miles southeast of Flint. The building was also on fire.
The Grand Blanc Township Police issued a statement on Facebook:
"The church of Latter Day Saints on McCandlish Rd. There are multiple victims and the shooter is down. There is NO threat to the public at this time. The church is actively on fire."
Fox 2, citing unnamed sources, reports that six to eight people were shot, but their conditions were unknown. The station reports that federal, state and local authorities are working the case.
An update from police is expected by 1 p.m.
