A 40-year-old Iraq War veteran has been identified as the gunman who killed two people and wounded nine others during a mass shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, on Sunday morning.
Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan, drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church before opening fire on hundreds of people who were worshiping, according to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye. The attack occurred at 10:25 a.m. during Sunday services.
A DNR officer and a Grand Blanc Township police officer confronted the suspected shooter and exchanged gunfire with him. Sanford was shot and killed during the confrontation with police.
At least 10 people were brought to hospitals, where two have since died. Some of the remaining victims are in critical condition while the rest are stable, according to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye.
As many as three improvised devices were found at the scene, according to two senior U.S. law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI responded to the incident.
Police believe Sanford deliberately set the church on fire. Fire set in the aftermath of the shooting grew to a five-alarm blaze that caused a partial collapse of the structure, according to law enforcement officials. Just before 1 p.m., authorities said the fire had been extinguished.
Renye said he expects to find additional victims now that the fire at the church has been contained.
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This is a developing story. RedState will continue to provide updates as they become available.
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