4 dead, 8 injured in shooting at Mormon church in Michigan
Sunday’s attack took place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc. The church was set on fire
An ex-Marine smashed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church in Michigan, opened fire and set the building ablaze during a crowded Sunday service and then was fatally shot by police.
At least four people were killed and eight wounded, and authorities were searching the building ruins for more victims.
The attack occurred about 10.25am while hundreds of people were in the building in Grand Blanc Township, outside Flint.
The man got out of the pickup with two American flags raised in the truck bed and started shooting, Police Chief William Renye told reporters. The attacker apparently used petrol to start the fire and also had explosive devices but it was not clear if he used them, said James Dier of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Authorities identified the shooter as Thomas Jacob Sanford of the neighbouring small town of Burton. The FBI was leading the investigation and considered it an “act of targeted violence”, said Ruben Coleman, a special agent in charge for the bureau.
Flames and smoke poured from the large church for hours before the blaze was extinguished.