4 killed in Mormon church-shooting; what we know so far
What's the story
At least four people were killed and eight others were injured after a gunman drove a vehicle into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened fire, and set the building in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on fire. Officials claimed the attack on the church took place during a Sunday service attended by hundreds. The suspect was later shot dead by police in the church parking lot.
Suspect details
Suspect identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford
The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford from Burton, Michigan. According to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, "hundreds" of people were attending services at 10:25 local time (15:25 GMT) when a gunman drove into the building. The suspect then opened fire with an assault rifle, "firing several rounds at individuals within the church," he claimed.
Ongoing investigation
FBI investigating 'targeted act of violence'
"We are still trying to determine exactly when and where the fire ended up coming from and how it got started," the police chief said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is spearheading the investigation into this targeted act of violence. The motive behind Sanford's actions is still unknown as authorities continue to comb through his property and cell-phone records. Chief Renye also praised churchgoers who bravely sheltered children during the incident, calling their actions "heroism."
Official responses
Trump briefed on incident, says White House
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident and confirmed that the FBI is leading the investigation. He called it "yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America." According to military records and social media posts, the suspect in the mass shooting was an Iraq War veteran and an outdoorsman. A Marine Corps spokeswoman told CNN that Sanford served as a sergeant and was awarded multiple medals for his service from 2004 to 2008.
Personal response
Details on suspect
According to social media pages associated with Sanford's family, he was married with a son. According to a GoFundMe page from 2015, the family was seeking funds to help pay for the medical care of Sanford's kid, who was born with a rare genetic condition. One local news article reported that Sanford took leave from his job as a truck driver for Coca-Cola to care for his son, as the child's medical condition took a financial toll on the family.