(Grand White) A shooter opened fire inside a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ from the Latter-day Saints in Michigan during a Sunday mass and lit a fire, killing at least four people and injuring eight others before being shot by the police, the authorities said.
Hundreds of faithful Mormons were gathered inside the establishment located in the canton of Grand Blanc, about 80 km north of Detroit, when a man has sunk the front door using a van, came out of the vehicle and opened fire, said local police chief Wiliam Renye.
The police believe that the individual then triggered a fire deliberately.
Image taken from the account x @Malkowski6april, provided by Associated Press
In this image taken from a video, enormous flames and smoke rise from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Holy Days of Grand White, in Michigan on September 28, 2025.
The suspect then left. Two police officers set up in pursuit. A shooting followed, added Mr. Renye. The man was killed.
Flames and smoke could be observed in the church. Stakeholders began to search the rubble.
“We are thinking of finding other victims where the fire was launched,” said Renye.
Photo Lukas Katilius, Associated Press
Help intervenes before the church of Jesus Christ of the Holy days of last days after fire and a fire in Grand Blanc, Michigan on Sunday.
Authorities said the number of injured was nine. The police chief later announced the death of a second victim, and two others in the evening.
The killer’s reasons are not yet known. His identity was revealed: it is Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of the neighboring city of Burton.
Image taken from Donald Trump’s social social account
US President Donald Trump condemned this new act of violence on American soil on his social network. He applauded the FBI which deployed a hundred agents in the region, according to local authorities.
“The spread of violence in our country must stop immediately,” he demanded.
Michigan’s governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed his sentence. “All violence, particularly that exercised in a place dedicated to worship, is unacceptable,” she said.
The church, surrounded by a parking lot and large lawn, is located near a residential area and a temple of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the canton of Grand Blanc, whose population approaches 40,000 people.
The small town of Grand Blanc has the same name as the canton.
“Even if we are two different administrations, we form a very coherent community,” launched the mayor of the city of Grand Blanc, John Creasey. This kind of thing is very painful for the whole community. I find it hard to understand what just happening. My thoughts accompany all the affected families ”.
These shots occur in the aftermath of the death of Russell Mr. Nelson, the president of the Church of the Saints of the last days at the age of 101. According to the protocol of this religion, his successor should be Dallin H. Oaks.
“Our church is in contact with the local police. His investigation continues that we receive news on the state of health of those who have been affected, said a Mormon spokesperson Doug Anderson. These places of worship must be a sanctuary of peace, prayer, links.
