Death Toll In MI Church Shooting Jumps To 4 With Some Still Missing: Police

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI — Authorities worked into the night Sunday to search the burned-out remnants of a church about an hour northwest of Detroit after a man set it ablaze and opened fire on hundreds of worshippers, killing at least four and injuring eight.

“We’re working tirelessly to find additional bodies," Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said at a press conference at 8 p.m. Sunday, streamed live by FOX 2. He added that some who had been in the church were still not accounted for and that authorities would be working through the night.

Armed with an assault rifle, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton at around 10:25 a.m. drove his vehicle through the front doors of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 4200 block of McCandlish Road and started shooting, according to authorities.

Renye described people inside the church shielding children and moving them to safety amid the mayhem.

Police were at the scene within seconds, and, within minutes, they had fired at Sanford, who is now dead, Renye said.

The FBI, which is leading the investigation, is considering Sanford's attack "an act of targeted violence," according to Acting Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman, who urged anyone with information to call 1-800-225-5324 or visit tips.fbi.gov/home.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives believes Sanford used gasoline to start the fire, but noted that suspected explosives were also found.

There were additional bomb threats throughout the community on Sunday after Sanford was killed, resulting in multiple churches being searched, according to Michigan State Police Specialist Lt. Kim Vetter, who urged anyone with information to call the FBI tip line or 911 to report suspicious activity.

"This kind of violence doesn’t happen in our community, and we are heartbroken that it came to Grand Blanc Township,” Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett said during a press conference earlier Sunday.

Ten victims were taken to hospitals for gunshots, two of whom had died as of mid-afternoon Sunday, according to Renye, who said of the remaining eight that one was in critical condition and seven were stable. Another two people were found dead in the remnants of the church, which is a total loss, Renye said.

“We do believe that we will find additional victims,” Renye said early Sunday evening, adding that the fire had been extinguished.

The FBI had devoted 100 agents to the area, according to Renye, who said mid-day Sunday that authorities would search the shooter's home and phone records.

President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, called for prayers for the victims and their families.

"THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!" he wrote.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that her "heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community."

"Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable," she said in a statement. "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."

The church, circled by a parking lot and a large lawn, is located near residential areas and a Jehovah’s Witness church. The community of roughly 8,000 people is just outside Flint.

The shooting occurred a day after Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at 101. The next president of the faith, known widely as the Mormon church, is expected to be Dallin H. Oaks, per church protocol.

“The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected,” Doug Anderson, a spokesperson for the Utah-based faith said in a statement.

“Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”

Some striking nurses at nearby Henry Ford Genesys Hospital left the picket line and ran the short distance to the church to help first responders, Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass learned about the shooting.

“Human lives matter more than our labor dispute,” Glass said.

Families looking for loved ones were directed by authorities to call 248-705-7352.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.