2 dead, 8 wounded in shooting and fire at Michigan church, police say

A gun opened discharge interior a wolverine state christian church during a Sunday service before apparently setting the building ablaze, killing at least two people and injuring eight others before police shot him, authorities said.

Hundreds of people were inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, about 80 kilometres north of Detroit, when a 40-year-old man rammed his vehicle into the front door. He then exited the vehicle and started shooting, Police Chief William Renye told reporters. 

Police believe he "deliberately" set the building on fire. After the suspect left the church, two officers pursued him and "engaged in gunfire," Renye said. The man was killed.

Flames and smoke could be seen for hours before the blaze was put out. First responders were then sifting through the wreckage.

Renye said one of the wounded people was in critical condition and seven others were stable. 

Renye identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from neighbouring Burton, Mich. Reyne did not specify a motive at a news conference on Sunday evening. 

Investigators were searching the suspect's residence in nearby Burton. Authorities did not provide any additional details about the suspect, including whether he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.

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

The shooting occurred the morning 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 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 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."

This was the latest of many shooting attacks on houses of worship in the U.S. Over the past 20 years, including one in August that killed two children during Mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis. 

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post he has been briefed on the "horrendous shooting" that took place at the church and asked for prayers for the victims and their families.

He also claimed this appears to be "yet another targeted attack on Christians" in the U.S. And added that the "epidemic of violence" must immediately end.

Michigan 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.

The impact of the shooting spread quickly to neighbouring communities, including the small city that shares a name with the township.

"Although we are two separate governmental units, we are a very cohesive community," said city of Grand Blanc Mayor John Creasey. "This sort of thing is painful for our entire community. I'm struggling to digest all that has happened, and my heart goes out to all of the affected families."

Timothy Jones, 48, said his family is part of another Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation, or ward, about 15 minutes away, but that his children were at the Grand Blanc Township ward the night before the shooting for a youth fall festival. He and his family moved to Flint two years ago in large part because of how strong the faith's community is in the area. 

As people in his congregation got word of the shooting from texts and phone calls during their own Sunday service, the church went into lockdown and police came as a precaution, he said. His children were "frantically, just trying to get word that people were okay."

Sundays are "supposed to be a time of peace and a time of reflection and worship," Jones said. Yet in the wake of violence at other houses of worship across religions, a shooting "feels inevitable, and all the more tragic because of that" he added.

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

"Human lives matter more than our labour dispute," Glass said.

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