Video above: Authorities give update after shooting, fire at Michigan church (Courtesy: WXYZ)
(NEXSTAR) — At least two people were killed and several others were injured after a man drove through the front doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday. Authorities believe there may be more victims within the church, which appears to have been deliberately set on fire by the suspect.
The suspect was pronounced dead following an exchange of gunfire with authorities, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said during an afternoon press conference.
According to Renye, shortly before 10:30 a.m. ET, the suspect, identified only as a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, drove through the front doors of the LDS church. The man then allegedly got out of the vehicle and “fired several rounds at individuals within the church” with an assault rifle.
There were hundreds of people in the church at the time, Renye explained during Sunday’s press conference, as a service was in session.
Ten people were taken to area hospitals with gunshot wounds, two of whom were pronounced dead, Renye said. Some of those who have been hospitalized are in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon.
Police initially reported that one person had died but confirmed the second fatality late Sunday afternoon.
An officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and a Grand Blanc officer were the first to respond to the scene, according to Renye.
“They met the suspect and they engaged in gunfire with that particular individual, neutralizing that suspect,” Renye explained. “That suspect is no longer with us.”
Renye did not identify the man during Sunday’s press conference, but said they would be executing search warrants and search for a motive as part of their investigation. There is no further threat to the public, according to authorities.
Video below: Flames and smoke rise from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc.
Investigators have not yet determined when the fire that engulfed the church was set or where it began, though preliminary information has led police to believe the suspect did it “deliberately.” The fire has been put out, and the search for additional victims who may not have been able to escape the church is underway, authorities said Sunday afternoon.
“We do believe that we will find some additional victims once we find the area where the fire was,” Renye said.
Scott Bennett, supervisor of Grand Blanc Township, said the shooting and fire is “a tragedy that nobody wants to encounter.”
The FBI has provided agents to help investigators speak with the hundreds of people who witnessed the incident, and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on scene.
FBI director Kash Patel said his agency was “tracking reports of the horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan.” Attorney General Pam Bondi is also “receiving briefings,” Nexstar’s The Hill reported.
President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the shooting. In a social media post, he wrote, “PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
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. The community of roughly 40,000 people is just outside Flint.
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 spread quickly to neighboring 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.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that her heart was breaking for the community. “Violence anywhere especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said.
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, known widely as the Mormon church, 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.”
Some striking nurses at nearby Henry Ford Hospital left the picket line and ran the short distance to the church to help first responders, Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass learned about the shooting.
“Human lives matter more than our labor dispute,” Glass said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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