GRAND BLANC (WWJ) -- A Michigan community is rebuilding from the ground up after a deadly attack on their church.
One year ago today (9/28) a gunman crashed his pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc during Sunday services, opened fire on congregants and set the building on fire.
Four people died, and eight more were wounded.
The suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Sanford, was then shot and killed by police.
Investigators from the FBI and ATF classified the attack as a "targeted act of violence," motivated by deep anti-Mormon views.
The church was completely destroyed by the fire, and the property where it stood is now an empty lot.
Fencing surrounds the area and memorials have been placed along the fence to remember the victims.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported that the congregation was coming together on Monday for a groundbreaking and rededication for a new State Center.
"It'll be a community celebration of the rebirth and moving forward in this community in Grand Blanc," Langton said.
The new church is expected to be larger than the previous building. Construction will take a little over a year.
