MI Church Shooting: What We Know About Suspected Shooter

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI — The man suspected of shooting up and setting fire to a Michigan church Sunday had a military background.

Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, opened fire on hundreds of worshippers at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, killing at least four and injuring eight, according to police.

Sanford served in the Marines from June 2004 through June 2008, according to reports citing military records.

He held the title of organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator, and was deployed to Iraq in August 2007, the records showed.

At the time, The Clarkston News reported that Sanford was a "Marine on the move."

"I’m excited to go," Sanford told the newspaper. "I’m looking forward to seeing the culture and the people of Iraq. I’ll return with the real news of the situation."

He served seven months in Iraq and reached the rank of sergeant before leaving the corps in 2008, the records showed.

Social media accounts linked to Sanford's name showed he was married and had at least one child. The family created a GoFundMe page in 2015 to help pay for the medical care for Sanford's son, who was born with a rare genetic disorder, CNN reported.

Police said Sanford drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church and started shooting. They also believe he used gasoline to start the fire, which destroyed much of the church.

Officers arrived within minutes and fatally shot Sanford in the parking lot behind the church, according to police.

As of Monday morning, at least four people were killed and eight others were injured in the attack, according to police.

Investigators were still clearing rubble from the burned-out church and said they are expecting to find additional fatalities.

Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting.

Officials were still investigating the shooting and asked anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or go to tips.fbi.gov.