Michigan church shooting update: All people accounted for after deadly attack at Grand Blanc LDS church
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (FOX 2) - All people are accounted for after a deadly shooting and fire at the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye, authorities are still searching the church, but all people who were reported missing have been located.
Man attacks Grand Blanc Township church
Services at the church had been ongoing for about 25 minutes when an armed man, later identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, drove his pickup truck into the building and then started shooting.
The backstory:
Witness Brian Taylor said churchgoers thought someone had accidentally hit the building when there was a loud bang and saw a crack in the chapel wall around 10:25 a.m. Sunday.
"We heard a large, just a large bang," he said.
Grand Blanc church shooting survivor shares story of chaotic attack
He saw the gunman who he said was wearing camouflage pants and had an assault-style rifle. He said he did not recognize him.
Taylor said churchgoers thought there had been an accident and went outside to help, but soon realized it wasn't an accident. He described seeing a man he did not recognize driving a truck armed with a rifle before the shooting started.
As Taylor and his wife tried to drive away, he said the suspect shot at their vehicle, causing their windshield to shatter. Taylor suffered a hand injury from shrapnel.
The victims:
Ten gunshot wound victims were found at the church after the shooting. All victims were taken to hospitals, where two later died. Sanford is also dead after being shot by police.
As of Monday, one victim is in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest. Another victim with an abdominal gunshot wound is in critical but stable condition, and the other surviving victims were last listed as stable.
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After authorities were able to gain access to the building that had been heavily damaged by the fire, they discovered two more bodies. Police said those victims had not been shot, and likely succumbed to the fire.
Renye said late Sunday that more victims may be found inside the destroyed building, but confirmed Monday that the death toll remained at five - two gunshot wound victims, two people found in the church, and Sanford.
What you can do:
If your loved one is missing after attending services at the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, contact the reunification number at 248-705-7352.
Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford?
Police identified the shooter as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford.
Sanford lived in Burton, about 15 minutes from the church. Sources said he had a wife and a child.
Grand Blanc church shooting: What’s known about suspected shooter Thomas Jacob Sanford
Police said a 40-year-old man from Burton was suspected of ramming his car into the church's front doors, start shooting and "deliberately" start a fire.
Sanford was a Marine veteran with stints in Iraq.
According to police, Sanford had previously been arrested for burglary and operating while intoxicated.
Grand Blanc church shooting motive
A motive for the church shooting is not known.
After the crime, authorities went to Sanford's home to begin searching in hopes of learning more.
Michigan church shooting updates: Latest news after 4 victims killed
A shooting and fire Sunday morning at the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led to at least four victims dead. The shooter, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, is also dead after being shot by police.
What's next:
The recovery efforts and investigation into this attack, which the FBI is calling "a targeted act of violence," continue.
On Monday morning, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke about the shooting on FOX News, saying that the FBI was executing multiple search warrants at the suspect's home and homes of relatives. She also said his family members were cooperating with investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Additionally, the city is providing resources for those impacted by the shooting. These services will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Genesys Health Club. Then, services will be available Wednesday through Friday at the Grand Blanc Senior Center.
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The Source: Previous information from Grand Blanc Township police, the ATF, and the FBI was used in this report.