What is known about the attack with 2 deaths at a Mormon church in the USA

At least two people have died, and several others were injured following a shooting and a fire at a Mormon church in Michigan, USA, on Sunday (9/28). The alleged shooter was killed, and the fire has been contained. The suspect was identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, but the motive behind the crime is still unclear. The attack and fire took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a city about 100 km northwest of Detroit. The municipality is a few miles south of Flint and has over 39,000 inhabitants, according to the municipality’s website. Authorities say the suspect – a 40-year-old man – deliberately drove his vehicle into the church before setting the building on fire. The police stated that the suspect ‘rammed the vehicle into the front door, exited, and began shooting’ with a rifle. There were ‘hundreds of people’ attending a worship service at the church at that time, according to authorities. The police assure there is no threat to the public and the fire has been contained after the suspect was killed in a shootout with officers. Seven people are reported injured but in stable condition, with one in critical condition. The local Grand Blanc police force mentions that a hundred FBI agents have been mobilized to assist in the investigation. The US President, Donald Trump, said he was briefed on the events in Michigan, calling the attack ‘horrendous’. In a social media post, Trump stated that ‘the suspect is dead, but there is still much to uncover’. He then mentioned that ‘this appears to be another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America’. The president added: ‘The FBI was immediately on the scene and will lead the federal investigation, providing full support to state and local authorities’. ‘THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END IMMEDIATELY!’, the president said. The incident follows another shooting attack at a church last month when a shooter opened fire on students in Minneapolis while they were praying. The shooter, Robin Westman, killed two children and injured 18 others after approaching the side of the Annunciation Church and firing dozens of shots through windows using three firearms. Westman died on-site from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the police stated that the definitive motive behind the attack may never be known. ‘The shooter expressed hatred towards many groups, including the Jewish community and President Trump,’ said the US Attorney General for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement regarding the ‘tragic act of violence’ on Sunday.