Faithful were in ceremony when armed man broke into temple in Michigan; suspect was killed by police minutes later
At least two people died and others were injured on Sunday after a shot at a Mormon church in the state of Michigan in the north of the United States. The religious building was also set on fire. The suspect, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, was killed by police eight minutes after the attack began. The authorities did not report the motivation of the crime.
United States President Donald Trump has classified the episode as “horrendous.” “This seems to be another Christian attack in the United States. This epidemic of violence in our country should cease immediately,” he wrote on his social truth platform.
According to local police chief, William Renye, Sanford invaded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints in Grand Blanc, Flint region, around 10:25 am (11:25 am in Brasilia). He got in with his car through the main door and then began shooting with a robbery rifle against the faithful who participated in a religious ceremony.
At that moment there were hundreds of people inside the temple. Authorities believe the suspect also set fire to the building before being killed. Ten people were seriously injured, two of whom died. Seven are in a stable condition and one in critical condition. Police fear finding more victims during the search at the scene.
Images showed rescue teams by removing people in stretchers and a column of dark smoke coming out of the building. “My husband heard shouts. I heard shots. We came home and waited. Then came the ambulances and told us that the aggressor had been neutralized. Now there is smoke everywhere,” Dobbie Horkey, resident near the church, told AFP.
Repercussion
FBI director Kash Patel reported that federal agents are supporting investigations. “Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families,” he said.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi also spoke. “Such a violence in a place of worship is impactful and terrifying. We pray for the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
The case occurs amid a climb of political violence in the country, intensified after the murder of right -wing activist Charlie Kirk on September 10. The episode has increased the tension in the public debate, with the trickist wing accusing the left of feeding a climate of “internal terrorism.”
*With AFP
