The man police identified as the gunman who killed at least two people and injured several others during services at a Michigan Mormon church on Sunday before setting the building on fire is a 40-year-old Marine veteran who served in Iraq.
Thomas Jacob Sanford was named by authorities as the man who rammed a Chevy Silverado truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, before opening fire on the hundreds of worshipers gathered there.
Sanford then allegedly set the building on fire before being killed by responding officers. Police have not said how the fire was started.
At a short news conference, authorities confirmed that Sanford, from nearby Burton, Michigan, was the lone suspect.
Emergency services respond to a shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Police said there are multiple victims and the shooter is down. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Sunday’s shooting began at around 10:30 a.m.
“He drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church,” Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told reporters of what unfolded. “He then exited his vehicle, firing several rounds at individuals within the church. Ten gunshot victims have been transported to local hospitals at this time, including one who has died.”
Two responding officers confronted Sanford and exchanged gunfire with him, killing him, the chief said. Sanford was armed with what appeared to be a rifle, he added.
Authorities initially reported that one person had been killed. Hours later, police said a second victim died at a hospital.
In this image taken from video released by Julie J, @Malkowski6April, Massive flames and smoke rise from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, about 50 miles north of Detroit. (Julie J, @Malkowski6April via AP)
Sunday’s shooting came a day after the death of longtime national LDS Church president Russell M. Nelson, who passed away at 101.
