Grand Blanc Township church attack leaves four dead, shooter killed

A gunman drove a pickup truck into the front of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, on Sunday morning, then opened fire and set the building on fire, killing four people and wounding eight others, authorities said. Police shot and killed the suspect at the scene, and investigators have called the attack targeted violence as they continue to search the burned chapel and the suspect's home.

Police identified the shooter as 40 year old Thomas Jacob Sanford of nearby Burton. Authorities said Sanford rammed the truck, which displayed two American flags, into the church around 10:25 a.m., exited the vehicle and used what officials described as an assault rifle to fire on worshippers gathered for services. Officials said he then used an accelerant to ignite a large fire and that investigators found explosive devices on the property, though it was not clear whether those devices were used.

Responding officers were on the scene within about 30 seconds of the first 911 call, Police Chief William Renye said. Initial accounts said the shooter was killed minutes later. Police later released body camera footage and an updated timeline indicating...