GRAND BLANC, Mich. — A gunman opened fire inside a Mormon church in Michigan during Sunday services before apparently setting the building ablaze, killing at least one person and injuring nine before police shot and killed him, authorities said.
Hundreds of people were inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, about 50 miles north of Detroit, when a man rammed his vehicle through the front door, then got out and started shooting, Police Chief William Renye told reporters. Police believe he deliberately set the building on fire.
After the suspect left the church, two officers pursued him and “engaged in gunfire,” killing him, Renye said.
Flames and smoke could be seen pouring from the church for hours before the blaze was put out. First responders were sifting through the wreckage.
“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, Mich. 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, widely known as the Mormon Church.
President Trump said he was briefed on the shooting. In a social media post, he applauded the response of the FBI, which local authorities said was sending 100 agents to the area.
“PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote.
The church building, circled by a parking lot and a large lawn, is near residential areas and a Jehovah’s Witness church in Grand Blanc. The community of roughly 8,000 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 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in Utah, issued a statement after the attack. “The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected,” spokesperson Doug Anderson said in the 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 after the shooting, Teamsters Local 332 President Dan Glass said.
“Human lives matter more than our labor dispute.” Glass 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 is expected to be Dallin H. Oaks, per church protocol.
Volmert and Williams write for the Associated Press. AP writers Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Ala., and Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report.