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Worshippers shielded children during shooting
People inside the church flung themselves into danger’s way and shielded children as gunfire erupted this morning, Renye said.
“They were shielding the children who were also present within the church, moving them to safety,” he said. “Just hundreds of people just practicing their faith. Just extreme courage.”
Renye said law enforcement officers were at the church within 30 seconds of receiving a 911 call. Within eight minutes, the suspected shooter had been “neutralized” in the back parking lot by a Department of Natural Resources officer and a Grand Blanc Township officer, he said.
ShareSearch continues for more bodies amid debris of burned-down church
First responders are working around the clock combing through the debris to find additional bodies, Renye said, noting crews are now “in recovery mode.”
“We do know that there are some that are unaccounted for,” he said, though he couldn’t provide exactly how many. The church is “a total loss due to the fire,” he said.
The suspect used an accelerant, believed to be gasoline, to set the blaze, said James Deir, the special agent in charge of the ATF’s Detroit Field Division.
He said some “suspected explosive devices” were found, but it’s not clear whether they were used to initiate the fire.
Fire and law enforcement officers outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday in Grand Blanc Township, Mich.Carlos Osorio / APSharePolice respond to other bomb threats in the community
Michigan State Police have been responding to additional bomb threats at different locations in the community, an official said at a news conference tonight.
Some of those threats were at churches and were cleared by state police, MSP spokeswoman Lt. Kim Vetter said.
“Please, continue to stay vigilant, and if you see something suspicious, say something,” Vetter said.
ShareFBI investigating shooting as ‘act of targeted violence’
The FBI is leading the investigation into this morning’s church shooting and is investigating the case “as an act of targeted violence,” said Reuben Coleman, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit field office.
ShareNumber of deaths rises as more bodies found in church
More bodies were discovered in the church, raising the total number of victims killed to four, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said at a news conference tonight.
Two of them had gunshot wounds, he said. Including the suspect, there are “five deceased persons from this tragic incident,” he said.
Renye also praised the heroism of first responders, who he said were on the scene within 30 seconds of receiving the initial 911 call.
ShareSuspect served in the Marines and was deployed to Iraq
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Courtney Kube, Sheena Jones and Marlene Lenthang
The suspect in the shooting served in the military from June 2004 to June 2008, according to the Marine Corps.
He was an organizational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator and achieved the rank of sergeant, a corps spokesman said. Sanford was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2007 to March 2008.
He earned several awards, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, the spokesman said.
His last assignment was in the 2nd Maintenance Battalion of Combat Logistics Regiment 25 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, according to the spokesman.
ShareSuspect was ‘neutralized’ in parking lot
The suspect was confirmed to be Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from the city of Burton, officials said at a news conference.
Authorities received a call about the shooting at 10:25 a.m., and officers were on the scene mere seconds later, Renye said at a news conference.
Sanford “was neutralized at 10:33 a.m.” in the parking lot of the church, he said.
Officials did not disclose a motive.
Share7 victims stable, 1 in critical condition
Seven victims are stable and one is in critical condition, Renye said at an evening news conference.
Two victims died in the shooting.
ShareSuspected shooter identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford
The suspect in this morning’s church shooting has been identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, according to a law enforcement source.
NBC affiliate WDIV of Detroit is at the scene as a large law enforcement presence gathers at what is believed to be the suspected shooter’s home, according to three senior U.S. law enforcement officials briefed on the matter.
ShareMultiple victims treated at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital
Multiple victims injured in the shooting and the fire are being treated by Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, a hospital spokesperson said.
“Our hearts go out to our patients, their families, and the community—including the people worshipping when the tragic act of violence occurred,” the hospital said. “Our hospital is fully staffed with experienced caregivers, and we are grateful to our team members who continue to care for all our patients at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital.”
The hospital was on lockdown because of the active shooter situation earlier. The lockdown was lifted around 1 p.m. local time.
ShareAs many as three improvised devices found, sources say
Marc Santia and Tom Winter
As many as three improvised devices were found at the scene, according to two senior U.S. law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. However, the investigation is still in its early stages.
A police officer tapes off an area on the street in Grand Blanc, Mich., where Sunday’s shooting took place.Emily Elconin / Getty Images
It’s not clear whether they are incendiary devices or explosive devices, according to the people who were briefed.
The investigation is more challenging because of the crash and the fire, the officials cautioned.
ShareSecond person dies in shooting
A second person has died in the shooting, police announced.
“There has been one more fatality due to gunshots. That person had died at a local hospital,” Renye said in a video on Facebook.
People seeking to reunify with family members at the church can call (248) 705-7352, which will connect callers to the Red Cross, which is on site and can locate loved ones.
Starting tomorrow through the rest of the week, locals can go into the police department for counseling services, Renye announced.
ShareShooting comes hours after death of LDS president 
Today’s shooting came just hours after Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died yesterday at 101.
Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in 2019.George Frey / Getty Images
Nelson died at his home in Salt Lake City, church spokesperson Candice Madsen said in a statement.
Nelson, a former heart surgeon, spent four decades in the highest levels of church leadership after he was selected in 1984 to join a top church governing body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He ascended to the presidency in January 2018 when Thomas S. Monson died and last year became the first president of the faith to hit the century mark.
ShareOfficials to address the public at 5 p.m. ET
Officials will host a news conference at 5 p.m. ET.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are expected to attend. Swanson’s office said in a news release that they will offer updates on the investigation, as well as victim support services.