A gunman drove his vehicle right into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constructing in suburban Grand Blanc on Sunday before opening fire on worshippers during a big service, killing two and wounding eight others, authorities said.
In a press conference Sunday afternoon, Police Chief William Renye said officers fatally shot the suspect, a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, after he rammed through the front doors of the Mormon church in the course of the worship service and started firing at congregants.
“He then exited his vehicle, firing several rounds at individuals inside the church,” Renye said at a news conference. “Our officers engaged the suspect and he was killed on the scene.”
The gunfire sent parishioners scrambling for safety as police and emergency crews rushed to the scene about 60 miles north of Detroit. Authorities confirmed a minimum of 10 people were struck by gunfire. Several remain in critical condition at local hospitals.
Investigators also consider the gunman intentionally began a fireplace contained in the LDS church. The blaze quickly spread, filling the world with smoke and making it too dangerous for first responders to conduct a full search. Officials warned the death toll from the fireplace could rise once crews are in a position to re-enter the constructing.
“We do consider that we’ll find additional victims once we’ve got that scene secure,” Renye said.
Renye said the FBI has assigned greater than 100 agents to help with witness interviews, digital evidence and the investigation into the shooter’s background. Search warrants are being prepared for the suspect’s home and electronic records.
Authorities haven’t released the gunman’s name, and no motive has been determined. Renye said investigators were working to learn more in regards to the weapon used, which some witnesses described as a rifle.
Grand Blanc is a suburb of Flint, Michigan, with a population of about 8,000.
During the press conference, Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett called the incident “heartbreaking.”
“This type of violence doesn’t occur in our community, and we’re heartbroken that it got here here,” Bennett said. “We’re going to do every little thing we will to support the families, the victims and our community getting through this case.”
In a press release on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the situation and issued a call to prayer.
“I even have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and can be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials,” he wrote.
Making no distinction between Christianity and Mormonism, the president added: “The suspect is dead, but there continues to be lots to learn. This appears to be yet one more targeted attack on Christians within the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we at all times do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
The president of the LDS church, Russell M. Nelson, died Saturday at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was 101.
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