GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP (WWJ) -- An active shooter gunned down multiple people and is believed to have set a massive fire at a church in Grand Blanc Township, police said, killing at least four and injuring at least eight.
Grand Blanc Township Police said they fear they will find more victims as they continue to comb through the wreckage of the burnt church.
Police said the mass shooting unfolded during services at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on McCandlish near Holly, on Sunday, September 28, at 10:25 a.m. The suspect, who is also dead, has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Sanford of Burton, Mich.
The FBI said they are investigating this mass shooting as an act of “targeted violence.”
"(The suspect) drove his vehicle through the front door of the church, he then exited his vehicle, firing several rounds at individuals within the church," Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said.
Law enforcement responded to the scene within 30 seconds of the initial 911 call, according to Renye.
First responders rushed 10 people to Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, where two of them died from gunshot wounds. Renye said one victim remains in critical condition. Seven are in stable condition. Their names and ages were not released.
Police said, as of 8 p.m., authorities discovered two additional bodies as they continued to search the church.
“We are working around the clock. We are working tirelessly to find additional bodies,” Renye said. “The entire church has not been cleared because it’s a total loss due to the fire. These first responders are in recovery mode.”
Authorities said they are in the process of trying to identify the victims.
Renye said “some” people remain unaccounted for in the church, but could not specify an exact number.
Authorities said state, local, county and federal investigators responded to the scene including Michigan State Police, the FBI and the ATF.
According to police, officers trained in active-shooter-response responded and "exchanged gunfire" with the suspect, who was armed with an assault rifle.
He was "neutralized" in the back church parking lot at 10:33 a.m. by a DNR officer and a Grand Blanc Township Police officer, Renye said.
Police said, during the active shooting, a massive fire broke out at the church in an area where people were located and likely could not escape.
“All indications are the suspect used an accelerant of some sort, we believe gasoline, and lit the church on fire,” said James Deir, Special Agent In Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Office.
The FBI devoted over 100 agents to the case, and deployed crisis response teams to the scene. The teams included SWAT, bomb technicians and victims’ specialists.
Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, confirmed the FBI is leading the investigation.
“We ask that members of the public share any information that will assist us in the investigation,” Coleman said. “And we encourage them to please report tips to 1-800-Call-FBI (225-5324) or at tipsfbi.gov."
FBI special agents have begun the process of collecting witness statements and evidence, obtaining a search warrant for the suspect's home, and finding a potential motive.
Michigan State Police said they are investigating bomb threats at at least one other church in the area.
However, Grand Blanc Township Police said they do not believe there are any threats to the public. All agencies involved ask that you call 911 or the FBI tip line if you see anything suspicious.
Renye added, even in the darkest of moments, the human spirit prevailed:
“We would like to acknowledge, not only the heroism of the first responders, but also the people in the church in that time,” he said. “They were shielding the children…moving them to safety, hundreds of people just practicing their faith. Extreme courage, bravery, that’s the type of community that we are.”
Family members of the victims can call the following number if they are looking for their loved one(s): 248-705-7352. It will connect them to the Red Cross. Police ask that only direct family members call the number.
The reunification site is at the Trillium Theater on Trillium Circle Avenue at Holly and McCandlish.
The Family Assistance Center (FAC) will be open from 8 a.m to 8 p.m Monday and Tuesday at the Genesys Conference and Banquet Center on Health Park Boulevard at Baldwin and Holly.
Authorities said the FAC will be available to anyone in the community including victims, family and friends of victims, or those who need extra support. Trained counselors and victims services will be on hand.
Police will provide the latest updates on the Grand Blanc Township Police Department Facebook page.
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