Two Dead, Several Injured Following Shooting and Fire at Mormon Church in US

At least two people were killed and several others were injured on Sunday after a gunman opened fire at a Mormon church in the state of Michigan, in the northern United States, where the building was also set on fire.

The suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, was shot by law enforcement eight minutes after the attack began, authorities reported, without specifying a motive.

US President Donald Trump called the shooting "horrendous."

"This appears to be another targeted attack against Christians in the United States," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "This epidemic of violence in our country must stop immediately!" he added.

Details of the Attack

Local Police Chief William Renye stated that the suspect, from the neighboring town of Burton, drove his vehicle through the church's main door around 10:25 a.m. local time and then began shooting at people inside with an assault rifle.

At that time, there were "hundreds of people inside the church" attending the religious service, he said.

Authorities believe Sanford also deliberately set the church on fire before being shot by officers who responded to the scene, Renye said.

The official stated that ten people were seriously injured, and two of them died from their injuries. Seven were in stable condition and one in critical condition as of late afternoon.

"We believe we will find more victims once we have secured the scene," Renye added after stating that the fire had been extinguished.

Scene of the Incident

Images from the scene showed first responders carrying people on stretchers and a large column of dark smoke emerging from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a community on the outskirts of the city of Flint.

"My husband heard people screaming," Dobbie Horkey, who lives less than 200 meters from the church, told AFP.

"I heard gunshots. We all went back into our homes and waited. Then the ambulances arrived (...) and they told us the attacker had been neutralized (...) and now, the smoke has spread everywhere."

Official Responses and National Context

FBI Director Kash Patel said federal agents are already on the scene to support the investigation.

"Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families," Patel declared on X.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi commented on X that "violence of this kind in a place of worship is shocking and terrifying," and invited others to join their prayers "for the victims of this terrible tragedy."

The United States has experienced a marked increase in political violence in recent years, including the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, which has further exacerbated tensions.

Following Kirk's murder, and without immediately knowing the motive, the Trumpist right quickly accused the left of being responsible for the climate of political violence reigning in the country and spoke of left-wing "domestic terrorism."