4 Dead, 8 Wounded in Michigan Church Attack

Noman Sabit: A gunman opened fire inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service and set the building ablaze, killing at least four people and injuring eight others. Police shot and killed the suspect, authorities said.

Hundreds of people were inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, about 50 miles north of Detroit, when a man rammed a four-door pickup through the front door, got out and started shooting, Police Chief William Renye told reporters. Police believe he deliberately set the building on fire.

Officers responded to a 911 call and were at the church within 30 seconds and killed the shooter about eight minutes later, Renye said. After the suspect left the church, two officers pursued him and “engaged in gunfire,” the chief said.

Flames and smoke could be seen pouring from the church for hours before the blaze was put out. Renye identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from neighboring Burton. Renye did not specify a motive at a news conference on Sunday evening. Police cordoned off the street leading to the suspect’s home.

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

The bodies of two of the victims were found as authorities searched the debris in the church, Renye said, emphasizing that the search was continuing and that more victims could be found.

Earlier in the day, Renye had said authorities believed they would find more victims once they could sift through the wreckage left by the fire.

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