Carnage erupted at a Mormon church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday morning, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries. The attack occurred at 10:25 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. According to reports from the Detroit Free Press, a suspect rammed a truck into the building before opening fire on congregants.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye stated, “The suspect began firing several rounds at individuals within the church.” The violence left one parishioner dead and injured nine others. The shooter also perished at the scene. As the church filled with hundreds of worshippers, chaos ensued. Eyewitness Tony Deck described the destruction, saying the church is “completely destroyed.”
The attack also featured a fire, believed to have been set by the shooter. Sources informed NBC News that authorities found multiple incendiary or explosive devices at the scene. Officers were quick to respond; Renye detailed how trained officers confronted the suspect and engaged in gunfire, successfully neutralizing him.
Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett expressed the community’s sorrow, calling it “heartbroken.” He noted, “This kind of violence doesn’t happen in our community… We appreciate the outpouring of support.”
Witness Paul Kirby recounted his experience during the rampage. He believed he heard an explosion before seeing the shooter emerge from a truck, firing from just 10 to 20 yards away. Kirby described the moment as “the scaredest I’ve ever been,” prompting him to gather his family and escape through a different exit.
Investigators are now turning their attention to the suspect’s home in Burton, Michigan, and examining his cellphone records to determine a motive for the attack. As the investigation continues, authorities warned that more bodies could be uncovered once firefighters fully extinguished the blaze that engulfed the church. The local community, home to about 8,000 residents, is reeling from this shocking incident.
Reactions to the attack extended beyond the local community. A statement attributed to Donald Trump on Truth Social highlighted the broader implications of such violence. He remarked, “This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America… THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”
As the investigation unfolds, more details about the tragic incident and the motive behind it are eagerly awaited by a shaken community. The shocking events of that Sunday morning will likely resonate for a long time within both the local congregation and the wider community.
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