Worshippers shielded children during deadly Michigan LDS church attack, says police chief
GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN: Following the mass shooting and arson attack that occurred at a church in Michigan on Sunday, September 28, a police chief revealed the chilling account of how the hundreds of congregants inside the Mormon church helped shield the children during the shooting.
The police praised the bravery of the first responders and those inside the church.
Police chief hails congregants for shielding children
Some of the hundreds of congregants inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, helped shield the children during the shooting, authorities said.
"I’d also like to acknowledge the heroism of not only the first responders, but the people who were inside that church at the time," Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said.
"They were shielding the children who are also present within the church, moving them to safety," he added.
What transpired at the Michigan church
On Sunday morning, a shooter targeted the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, leaving at least four people dead and eight others wounded.
According to the police, the shooter first rammed the church with his vehicle before opening fire with an assault rifle and then setting the building ablaze.
The attacker was shot and killed by police in the parking lot eight minutes after the first emergency call came in, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief Renye said in a press conference.
While the earlier announcement mentioned two deceased, two more bodies were recovered later from the debris of the burned-down church. Renye said that search efforts are still going on.
Trump calls Michigan incident 'yet another targeted attack on Christians'
Taking to Truth Social following the tragic incident, President Donald Trump wrote, "I have been briefed on the horrendous shooting that took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The FBI was immediately on scene, and will be leading the Federal Investigation, and providing full support to State and Local Officials."
"The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn. This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families," he shared, before insisting, "THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!"
Violent events involving gun violence have surged in recent weeks following high-profile attacks, including the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10 and a deadly shooting at a federal immigration enforcement facility in Texas on September 24.
Sunday’s attack also comes a month after a mass shooting at a Catholic church and school in Minnesota, in which two children were killed while attending Mass, and several others were severely wounded.
Thomas Jacob Sanford identified as attacker
The attacker has been identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old veteran who served four years in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008. He was deployed to Iraq from August 2007 to March 2008.
According to the officials, Sanford, who was from the nearby Burton, Michigan, acted alone. Detectives are working to determine the motive behind the shooting.
As per a family friend, the father-of-one is said to have long been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
