The Police of the town of Grand Blanc in Mischigan (United States) reported that four dead in a Mormon church have increased to eight wounded and identified the author as Thomas Jacob Sanford, who died in a confrontation with two agents.
Two victims were found in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Saints of the last days where at the time of the shooting “hundreds of people” attended to the service, according to the police. In total, with the death of the shooter, which was also from Mischigan, there are five dead in the church, according to Grand Blanc Chief, William Renye, at a press conference.
According to Renye, two of those four had gunshot wounds, he said.
In addition, the State Police reported that it has been responding to additional bomb threats in different places in the community and that some occurred in Iglesias and were dismissed.
It was also reported that the FBI leads research on shooting “as an act of selective violence.”
According to the authorities, the man, who used an assault rifle, was in the Navy between June 2004 and June 2008, where he was mechanical and reached the range of sergeant.
He has also transpired that during his Sanford military career, which was from the nearby town of Burton, he received several awards, including the Marina’s good behavior medal, the Iraq campaign medal, the service in the global war against terrorism and the national defense service, highlighted the same medium.
Sanford crashed his car against the church, after which he opened fire and then turned on it on fire, an incident that occurred around 10.25 in the morning and 10.33 The shooter had already been neutralized.
It was also reported that about three improvised devices were found at the scene.
Shortly after knowing what happened, the United States attorney general, Pam Bondi, reported that FBI agents moved to the scene. “Such violence in a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please, join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy,” he added.
For his part, the president claimed to be following the situation and condemned the attack. “This seems to be another attack directed against those in the United States of America. The Trump Administration will keep public opinion informed, as we always do. Meanwhile, they pray for victims and their families. This epidemic of violence in our country must end, immediately!” He said.
