Officials identified Burton, Michigan, resident Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, as the suspect in a shooting on Sunday at a Mormon church in Grand Blanc.
Law enforcement was dispatched at 10:25 a.m. to the Church of Latter-day Saints after Sanford allegedly drove his vehicle into the church’s front doors, according to Grand Blanc Police Chief William Renye. The suspect then exited his vehicle and opened fire on attendees. Two people have been announced dead, and one victim remains in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
Who is the shooter?
It is believed the suspect acted alone with an assault rifle, according to Fox 2 Detroit. The church was also set on fire, although it’s unclear how it started. However, Renye said it is believed the suspect started it “deliberately.”
Law enforcement response
Renye said search warrants would be issued at the suspect’s residence to gather more information about the incident.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the agency has been dispatched to the area, and Renye said over 100 federal agents are expected.
In a post on X, Patel said, “We are tracking reports of the horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. @FBI agents are on the scene to assist local authorities. 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.”
New York City police also put out a statement, saying they would increase law enforcement presence at religious institutions following the attack.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other lawmakers took to social media on Sunday to decry the incident.
After being briefed on the attack, Trump called it “yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.”
Vance said, “Just an awful situation in Michigan. FBI is on the scene and the entire administration is monitoring things. Say a prayer for the victims and first responders.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) said, “My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor this situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand Blanc close.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi also condemned violence in a place of worship, calling it “chilling.”
“I am receiving briefings about what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. @FBI and @ATFHQ agents are en route to the scene now. Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy,” Bondi said on X.
Gov. Greg Abbott echoed Bondi, saying, “The escalation of violent attacks against people and places of faith is heinous and must end. I have directed the Texas Dept. of Public Safety to form task forces with federal and local law enforcement to better safeguard our places of worship. The fundamental principle that thou shall not kill must be strongly reaffirmed as a core tenet of our society and must be aggressively enforced by law enforcement.”
MICHIGAN CHURCH SHOOTER IDENTIFIED AS ONE VICTIM STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION
The incident follows the death of Russell M. Nelson, the oldest president of the Church of Latter-day Saints, on Saturday at the age of 101. The church is also a week away from its general conference, a worldwide event during which church leaders speak to 17 million members.
Officials are expected to provide another update at 8 p.m. on Sunday.
