2 dead, 8 injured in Michigan church shooting, fire. Here's what to know.
Show Caption Hide Caption Five dead, eight injured in shooting at Mormon church in Michigan Five people have died with eight others injured in a shooting and fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
At least two people have died and eight others were injured following a mass shooting and fire at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 28, police said.
The incident occurred Sunday morning at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to a post from the Grand Blanc Township Police Department.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said at a 5 p.m. news conference that seven victims are stable while one is in critical condition. Renye identified the shooter as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton. Sanford died after exchanging gunfire with responding officers in the church's parking lot.
Federal law enforcement, including officials from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, responded to the scene, Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
Grand Blanc is a city of 7,700 people, located about 60 miles northwest of Detroit.
Here's what to know about the shooting.
Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford: What we know about the Michigan church shooting suspect
What happened in the Grand Blanc, Michigan church shooting and fire?
At the time of the shooting, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said hundreds of people were attending Sunday service at the church. The suspect, later identified as Sanford, used an assault rifle, according to police.
Responding officers "engaged in gunfire" with the suspect, according to Renye. "That suspect is no longer with us," Renye said.
Officials initially said the church was on fire, and people were evacuated. At 12:43 p.m. ET, the Grand Blanc Police reported that the blaze was contained.
Who is suspected in the church shooting?
Renye said that the shooter, identified at the 5 p.m. news conference as Sanford, drove his vehicle through the the church.
He then exited the vehicle and fired "several rounds" at people inside the church," Renye added. The victims were transported to nearby hospitals.
The suspected gunman died at the scene after exchanging gunfire with two responding officers, police said.
Police said they will be conducting search warrants on the suspect's residence and look into cellphone records. Several law enforcement agencies were assisting local authorities in the investigation, including the FBI, Michigan State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Trump, Michigan governor respond to shooting
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged the shooting in a statement on X, stating that officials are monitoring the situation.
"My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable," Whitmer wrote.
"I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor the situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand Blanc close."
In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump called the incident "horrendous" and a "targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America."
"PRAY for the victims, and their families," Trump added. "THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!"
Shooting follows death of church's president
The shooting comes after the president of the church, Russell M. Nelson, died around 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. He was 101 years old.
Nelson is survived by his wife, Wendy; eight of his 10 children from his first marriage; 57 grandchildren; and more than 167 great-grandchildren.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated that it is cooperating with authorities amid the ongoing investigation.
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from so many people around the world. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ," church spokesperson Doug Andersen 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."
This story has been updated to add new information.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, Kristen Jordan Shamus, Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY NETWORK
[SRC] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/09/28/grand-blanc-michigan-church-shooting-fire/86406327007/
