A shooter at the Church of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, killed at least one person and injured multiple other victims on Sunday. The gunman is now deceased, according to local police.
Police said there is no threat to the public at this time. The church building was on fire, and authorities now say the blaze is contained. They expect more victims to be found at the site where the fire erupted.
Grand Blanc Police Chief William Renye said a 40-year-old male suspect drove his vehicle into the church’s front doors Sunday morning, where “hundreds” of people were attending service. The suspect exited his vehicle and opened fire on attendees. Ten victims are now hospitalized, one of whom has died. At least some of those hospitalized are in critical condition.
Renye said it is believed the church’s fire was started “deliberately” by the suspect, and believes victims who were not able to escape will be found there.
Police engaged with the shooter, who is “no longer with us.” Renye said the next steps will be to issue search warrants on the suspect’s residence to find out more about him, and more information about this shooting will be provided at 5 p.m. today.
“My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor this situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand Blanc close,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) said on X.
FBI agents have been dispatched to the scene, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Reyne said over 100 federal agents are expected.
“We are tracking reports of the horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. @FBI agents are on the scene to assist local authorities. Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this terrible tragedy,” Patel said on X.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also condemned violence in a place of worship, calling it “chilling.”
“I am receiving briefings about what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. @FBI and @ATFHQ agents are en route to the scene now. Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the attack and called it “yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.”
Police directed the public to avoid the area, and several reunification sites were established.
New York City police also put out a statement, saying they would increase law enforcement presence at religious institutions following the attack.
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Grand Blanc’s city and township has a combined total of 47,500 people, and is located north of Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Sunday’s shooting comes only a day after Russell M. Nelson, the oldest president of the LDS Church, died at 101.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
