Grand Blanc, Michigan: “It was chaos like I had by no means seen,” stated a shaken worshipper after a terrifying assault at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday. A 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, drove his automotive into the church, opened fireplace on attendees and set the constructing ablaze, leaving at the least two lifeless and several other others wounded.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye described the horrifying scene. “He then exited his automobile, firing a number of rounds at people throughout the church,” he stated, confirming the gunman was armed with an assault rifle and appeared to intentionally goal individuals contained in the service.
A shootout ensued when two officers confronted the suspect. The gunman was killed on the spot. “We consider we’ve the man who did this,” Renye stated, including that authorities are assured there was just one attacker.
A minimum of eight individuals had been shot, together with youngsters. Some are in crucial situation. Victims had been rushed to close by hospitals. Authorities warned that the variety of victims may rise because the fire-damaged church is absolutely secured.
“We consider extra individuals had been close to the fireplace and had been unable to get out of the church,” Renye stated.
Investigators are nonetheless making an attempt to piece collectively a motive. The police are executing a search warrant on the suspect’s residence and inspecting cellphone information. “We are attempting to find out precisely when and the place that fireplace began,” the officer added.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has deployed 100 brokers to assist acquire witness statements, and a bomb squad is assessing a suspicious merchandise discovered on church grounds.
The assault comes as members of the church mourn the demise of Russell M. Nelson, who handed away on Saturday on the age of 101. Nelson was the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having led the church since 2018.