At least five people were reportedly killed in the Sunday morning attack, including the gunman, and at least eight others were injured in the latest attack on a church in Michigan, United States of America. Police said more bodies may be found in the remains of the burned-down building.
As the search for more victims continues following the mass shooting and fire at a Mormon church in Michigan, officials have begun to release information regarding the suspect. Authorities are now providing details about the individual believed to have perpetrated the horrific attack during the Sunday service.
Authorities identified the suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, who allegedly drove a vehicle directly through the front doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. Sanford then reportedly proceeded to open fire inside the building before setting the structure ablaze, Sky News reported.
He used an assault rifle, officials said.
Grand Blanc is about 50 miles north of Detroit. Sanford was from the nearby town of Burton.
According to reports, the suspect, Sanford, served in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008.
He served as an automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator within the organisation, where he ultimately attained the rank of sergeant. His military service included a deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, lasting from August 2007 to March 2008.
Sanford earned several awards, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.
His last assignment was with the 2nd Maintenance Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
James Dier, an expert in the Detroit Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, explained that Sanford used an accelerant, believed to be gasoline, to start the fire.
Some “suspected explosive devices” were found, but it’s not clear whether they were used to initiate the blaze, Mr Dier added.
The FBI, which is leading the investigation into the attack, is treating the case as “an act of targeted violence”, according to Reuben Coleman, acting special agent in charge of the bureau’s Detroit field office.
Authorities received a call about the shooting at 10.25 am local time, and officers were on the scene just seconds later, Grand Blanc Township Chief William Renye told reporters.
Sanford “was neutralised at 10.33 am” in the parking lot of the church, he added.
Officials did not disclose a motive.
Images confirmed that a pickup truck, presumed to be the vehicle driven by Sanford, had been rammed directly into the church building. The footage also showed a distinct detail: two American flags were visible in the rear of the vehicle.
NBC News learned from two senior law enforcement officials that the investigation has uncovered multiple explosive devices. The officials, who were briefed on the case, confirmed that a maximum of three improvised devices were found at the scene.
Michigan police have urged residents to stay vigilant, as they have been responding to additional bomb threats at different locations in the community.
Some of those threats were at other churches and have been cleared by state police.
