Washington, Sept 30, (dpa/GNA) – The death toll from a shooting and fire at a church in the small US town of Grand Blanc in the state of Michigan has risen to four, police said on Sunday.
Investigators said two victims were killed by gunfire, while they did not provide further details on the other two. The suspect, a 40-year-old man, is also dead, according to authorities, and several other people were injured.
The incident reportedly occurred during a service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attended by hundreds of people. Police believe the suspect deliberately rammed the church’s entrance with a vehicle before exiting and opening fire.
A fire also broke out during the attack, which police suspect was intentionally set by the attacker. Investigators are working to determine when and where the fire started. The fire has since been extinguished, officials said.
Earlier reports from the local sheriff indicated that the entire church was engulfed in flames. Television footage showed heavy smoke rising from the building. Police suspect that some people near the fire were unable to escape the church, and they expect to find more victims once they are able to search the building.
“This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America,” US President Donald Trump commented on his platform Truth Social. “The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn.”
The attack comes just weeks after a shooting during a school church service in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in August. A person fired through the windows of a church, killing two children aged 8 and 10, and injuring several others.
The FBI later classified the attack as a hate crime, citing the suspect’s anti-religious and anti-Catholic statements in a manifesto and inscriptions on the weapons. The suspect also expressed hatred toward Jews, Black people and Mexicans, according to prosecutors.
US Vice President JD Vance said the federal government is closely monitoring the situation in Michigan. On social media platform X, he called for prayers for the victims, as did US Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling,” Bondi wrote.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also condemned the attack on X, stating, “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable.” She thanked emergency workers for their swift actions.
Police have obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence, and are working to determine a motive. The FBI is assisting the investigation with 100 personnel. Given the large number of people present in the church, investigators expect to collect numerous witness statements.
GNA