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Michigan LDS Church Attack Leaves 2 Dead, 8 Wounded After Vehicle Ramming and Fire

Investigators are combing the burned meetinghouse with federal help to determine a motive.

Overview

  • Police say a 40-year-old man drove through the front doors of the Grand Blanc Township meetinghouse during Sunday services and opened fire with a rifle.
  • Ten people were taken to hospitals with gunshot wounds, and authorities later confirmed two fatalities; eight others remain hospitalized, with at least one in critical condition.
  • Responding officers engaged the attacker and killed him at the scene; he was identified by authorities as Thomas Jacob Sanford of nearby Burton.
  • Officials believe the building was deliberately set on fire, and searches of fire-damaged areas continue with warnings that additional victims could be found.
  • FBI and ATF teams are assisting, search warrants are being executed related to the suspect, and a bomb squad assessed a suspicious item as the public was urged to avoid the area.