Lawmakers across Michigan and the United States have condemned the shooting at a Mormon church on Sunday, the latest attack against religion in the country.
A 40-year-old male suspect drove his vehicle into the front doors of the Church of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, then left his vehicle and opened fire on service attendees. Ten victims have been hospitalized so far from the shooting and fire at the church, two of whom have died.
The shooting comes just over a month after a shooter targeted Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“An absolute tragic situation happened today here in Michigan. It is deeply disturbing that we continue to see places of worship become targets of violence. My prayers go out to the parishioners and families impacted by the horrific shooting in Grand Blanc Township,” Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) said on X.
“Violence targeting people peacefully gathering to practice their faith is completely unacceptable. I’m thankful for the law enforcement and first responders who were immediately on the scene, and I’m continuing to follow this situation closely. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community during this difficult time,” Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) said.
“No one should have to face such horrific violence, especially in a place of worship. My heart goes out to the loved ones of the victims and those fighting for their lives in the hospital. I’m praying for the entire Grand Blanc community. We must move with urgency to end gun violence in our country,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib (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,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) said on X.
“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,” Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) said.
“Another horrific shooting at a church right after we lost the children in Minnesota. A place of worship should be a refuge, not a site of violence and fear. My heart is with the victims, their families, and all those impacted. We must end this cycle of senseless gun violence,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said.
The shooting follows the death of Russell M. Nelson, the oldest president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Saturday at the age of 101. The LDS Church is also a week away from its general conference, a worldwide event during which church leaders speak to 17 million members.
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President Donald Trump commended Nelson for being “sharp and engaged in service up until the end” in a statement on Truth Social.
“Our hearts and prayers are with his incredible wife, Wendy, his 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren, as well as Members of the Church all over our Country. Russell had a remarkable life, pioneering life-saving heart surgery techniques and, of course, his ministry of many decades. He was a physician, literally and spiritually, and will be greatly missed!” Trump said.
