A gunman opened fire and set fire to a Mormon church in Michigan, leaving four dead. The president of the United States called it “horrendous.”
What began as a Sunday service turned into tragedy in Michigan, when a gunman attacked a Mormon church and later set it on fire, killing at least four people and injuring several others.
The incident has shocked the nation and raised urgent calls to strengthen security at places of worship across the United States.
According to the Grand Blanc Township Police Department, the attack took place at around 10:25 a.m. local time.
The suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a Marine Corps veteran, rammed his vehicle into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before opening fire with an assault rifle at worshippers gathered inside.
Authorities confirmed that “hundreds” of people were in the building at the time. Parishioners quickly acted to protect children and guide people to safety, actions that Police Chief William Renye described as “absolute heroism.”
The confrontation lasted only eight minutes. Local police engaged Sanford in a shootout, neutralizing him at 10:33 a.m. Despite the swift response, lives had already been lost and fear spread throughout the congregation.
After firing multiple rounds, Sanford deliberately set the church on fire using an accelerant, reportedly gasoline. Firefighters managed to control the flames, but officials warned that certain areas of the building remain too dangerous to access, leaving open the possibility of more victims.
Church spokesman Doug Anderson condemned the attack as a “tragic act of violence,” emphasizing that places of worship “must remain sanctuaries of peace and connection.”
The scale of the attack prompted a massive federal response. More than 100 FBI agents were deployed to Michigan to support the investigation. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the attack as “heartbreaking and chilling.”
President Donald Trump reacted on social media, saying he had been briefed immediately. “The suspect is dead, but much remains to be known. This appears to be another targeted attack against Christians in the United States,” he wrote.
Vice President J. D. Vance urged prayers for the victims and first responders. Meanwhile, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer denounced the event as “unacceptable” and stressed that her administration is closely monitoring the situation.
FBI Director Kash Patel labeled it a “cowardly and criminal act,” confirming that agents are investigating possible extremist links.
Meanwhile, other major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, announced increased security at churches and temples to prevent copycat incidents.
The community of Grand Blanc remains in shock, as families of the victims await official confirmation of identities. For many, the tragedy is not only a local disaster but also another stark reminder of the ongoing gun violence crisis facing the United States.
