4 Killed, 8 Injured in Shooting and Fire at Michigan Church; Suspect Identified

At least four people were killed and at least eight injured when a gunman opened fire inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan and set the building ablaze, authorities said on Sept. 28, adding that the suspected shooter has been taken down.

The shooting occurred at the church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sept. 28, authorities wrote on social media.

So far, four churchgoers are confirmed to have died in the Sunday attack, with police warning that they could find other victims in the burned-down building. One victim is in critical condition, while seven others are in stable condition.

Reuben Coleman, the acting special agent in charge of the bureau’s Detroit field office, said the FBI would take the lead on the case, which is being investigated as a targeted attack.

“I can confirm at this time that the FBI is now leading the investigation and is investigating this as an act of targeted violence,” Coleman told a Sunday evening press conference.

Earlier that day, Chief of Police William Renye said the suspect was identified as a 40-year-old male from Burton, Michigan, named Thomas Jacob Sanford, who died at the scene of the attack.