By John Agar
mlive.com
GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. — As he announced the deaths of additional victims in a church shooting and fire, Grand Blanc Township police Chief William Reyne noted acts of heroism when a gunman opened fire on parishioners.
The heroes inside the church attempted to shield children from the danger. He called their actions brave.
The gunman, Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, crashed his pickup truck into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on McCandlish Road, during morning services on Sunday, Sept. 28.
He shot churchgoers before using an accelerant, such as gasoline, to ignite a fire that roared from the roof of the now-gutted church. Investigators would not say whether Sanford used an improvised-explosive device to start the fire.
Two people died early on, with eight others injured, one critically. Later that night, Reyne announced that two other bodies had been found, with others still unaccounted for.
He thought it important to remember the bravery inside the church.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the heroism of not only the first responders but the people who were inside the church at the time,” he said at a press conference.
“They were shielding the children who were also present within the church, moving them to safety. Just hundreds of people, just practicing their faith. Just extreme courage, brave … and that’s the type of community that we are.”
The first 911 call came in around 10:25 a.m. A Grand Blanc Township police officer and a state Department of Natural Resources conservation officer were on scene within 30 seconds of the call.
Within eight minutes, the officers “neutralized” Sanford in a back church parking lot.
Police did not disclose a motive for the attack.
Marc Curtis, an attorney with Defender of the Blue law firm, told MLive on Sunday the DNR conservation officer involved is safe, but still concerned for the victims.
“Acting to protect the congregation and prevent further loss of life, the officer engaged the suspect,” Curtis wrote in a text message exchange with MLive. “This was a tragic event, the officer acted without hesitation to safeguard innocent lives and stop this evil.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called the killings a “tragic act of violence.”
The church is in contact with police and parishioners.
“We offer thanks to the emergency responders who are assisting victims and families.
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from so many people around the world. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ. Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”
The FBI is leading the investigation into the “act of targeted violence,” Reuben Coleman, acting FBI special agent in charge of the Detroit office, said at the press conference.
The FBI brought a crisis-response team to the scene for help in evidence gathering, working with victims, bombs and specialized response to dangerous situations.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, has also responded to the scene.
A state police bomb squad responded to Sanford’s house. State police also responded to multiple bomb threats reported at other churches after the rampage.
The church killings were on the minds of many in the community, south of Flint.
“My heart just breaks for them,” Stephanie Giddings, a Fenton resident who attends the church where the shooting occurred, said. She was working and missed the service.
Giddings was among those who came to a reunification site for church members. Her mother called her, then called back when she didn’t answer and said there was an emergency.
Oxford Fire Department, which responded Nov. 30, 2021, to a mass shooting at Oxford High School, said Sunday on Facebook: “Our crews and many others are still out helping our neighbors in Grand Blanc. We won’t ever forget the help we received on 11/30.”
A crowd gathered that night for a vigil outside of Holy Redeemer Church in Burton. It was intended to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk , who was shot and killed on Sept. 10.
“I pray for a blessing on our community and the horrific shadow of today’s tragedy,” state Rep. Dave Martin, a Genesee County Republican, said at the vigil.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
One of the victims was described as “very soft spoken and very kind-hearted” who served as leader in the church.
“The kindest hearted man you could meet,” Alan Lichtenberg, a former bishop at the church who now lives in Wyoming , told MLive.
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