Photo: Alamy
Federal investigators said Sunday that a deadly assault on a Mormon church in Michigan was a “targeted attack” after four people were confirmed dead and eight others wounded.
Authorities said 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford drove his car into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Grand Blanc before opening fire and setting parts of the chapel ablaze.
Sanford, a former Marine who served in Iraq, was killed in a gunfight with officers who responded to the scene, Police Chief William Reyne said at a news conference. He did not provide a possible motive.
Reuben Coleman, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit office, said the bureau is leading the investigation and is treating the case “as an act of targeted violence.”
President Donald Trump also reacted to the shooting on Truth Social on Sunday.
“I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials. The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn,” he wrote.
“This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” the president added.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also denounced the attack. “Violence anywhere especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said.
“Although we are two separate governmental units, we are a very cohesive community,” said City of Grand Blanc Mayor John Creasey. “This sort of thing is painful for our entire community.”
Michigan State Police also responded to new bomb threats at several locations in the community, an official said during a news conference Sunday night.
Some of the threats targeted churches and were later cleared by state police, Lt. Kim Vetter, an MSP spokeswoman, said.