Worshippers Flee as Gunman Sets Major Church on Fire, One Dead, Many Injured
- A gunman rammed a car into a Michigan Mormon church during Sunday service, killing one person and injuring nine others before being shot dead by police
- Authorities believe the attacker deliberately set a fire inside the church after opening fire on worshippers, including children, during the morning service
- FBI agents are assisting local police as investigators search for a motive behind the shocking assault in Grand Blanc Township near Detroit
A Sunday worship service turned into a deadly scene when a gunman drove into a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, killing one person and injuring nine others.
Authorities said the attacker, a 40-year-old man, rammed his vehicle through the front doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around 10:25 a.m. before opening fire on the congregation. Children were among those inside at the time of the attack.
Source: Getty Images
Gunman crashes into Michigan church
Police confirmed that the suspect exchanged gunfire with officers before being shot dead. His name has not yet been released.
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Investigators have not determined a motive for the assault, which drew hundreds of worshippers and left the community in shock.
“The suspect is deceased and there is no further threat to the public,” Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told reporters during a briefing.
Soon after the shooting began, a fire broke out inside the church. Emergency responders contained the blaze just before 1 p.m.
Authorities believe the suspect deliberately set the fire, though the exact method has not been disclosed.
Source: Getty Images
The church building suffered significant damage from both the gunfire and the flames.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as congregants scrambled for safety. Parents shielded their children while others helped the injured outside as smoke began filling parts of the sanctuary.
Firefighters and paramedics rushed to evacuate survivors and treat victims before transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals. Some of the injured remain in critical condition.
FBI assists investigation of Grand Blanc attack
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Federal agents from the FBI joined local police in processing the crime scene and interviewing witnesses.
A reunification center was quickly established near the church to help families locate loved ones.
The church sits in a residential area near a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall, and residents reported hearing sirens and gunshots as law enforcement swarmed the neighborhood.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement expressing grief and calling for prayers for the victims and their families.
“Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection,” the church said, while thanking emergency responders for their swift action.
President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had been briefed on the attack and praised the rapid response of federal and local authorities.
He called the incident “another targeted attack on Christians” and urged the nation to “pray for the victims and their families.”
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Gunmen abduct corps member
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that gunmen have abducted a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and a 300-level student of the University of Jos after breaking into a residence in the Dong community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The victims were seized on Sunday night, September 14, when armed men forced their way into the home of Mr. Solomon Dansura.
Source: Legit.ng
