Gunman killed after killing 2, injuring 8 at Latter-day Saint church
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A gunman opened fire inside a Michigan church during Sunday services before apparently setting the building ablaze, killing at least one person and injuring nine before police shot him, authorities said.
A second shooting victim died later Sunday at a hospital, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said.
After the suspect left the meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, two officers pursued him and “engaged in gunfire,” Renye said. The man was killed.
Flames and smoke could be seen pouring from the church for hours before the blaze was put out. First responders were then sifting through the wreckage.
Hundreds of people were inside meetinghouse in Grand Blanc Township when a 40-year-old man rammed his vehicle into the front door, then exited the vehicle and started shooting, Renye told reporters.
The suspect is believed to have “deliberately” set the church on fire, Renye said. Flames and smoke could be seen for hours before the blaze was extinguished.
“We do believe we will find some additional victims once we find the area where the fire was,” Renye said.
Police said they did not yet have a motive for the fire or shooting. Investigators are 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.
Scott Bennett, supervisor of Grand Blanc Township, said the shooting and fire is “a tragedy that nobody wants to encounter.”
Grand Blanc is about 50 miles north of Detroit.
Authorities have not released details on the victims’ conditions. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said the area had been evacuated, and local and federal authorities are there.
Initial communications described multiple victims trapped inside the burning church at 4285 McCandlish Road. Authorities urged residents to avoid the area while operations and investigation continue.
