At least 10 shots, 2 fatally, in the church of Michigan burned by the gunman: the police

Multiple people were shot on Sunday during a full service in the Church of Jesus Christ of the last days in Grand Blanc, Michigan, The police said.

According to the police, at least 10 parishioners, including two who were killed, according to the police.

Grand Blanc’s chief, William Renye, said at a press conference that at least two victims were in critical condition and that the armed man, a 40 -year -old man, was killed in a shooting with the police.

The suspect deliberately set fire to the Church, whose name was not immediately released, Renye said. He said the suspect was from Burton, Michigan, about 8 miles north of Grand Blanc.

“We believe we will find additional victims once we have that assured scene,” Renye said.

The attack was developed at 10:25 am and that “hundreds of people” attended the service, according to Renye.

“The vehicle passed through the main door, went out and began to shoot,” Renye said on the suspect, and added that it is not clear what connection, if any, the suspect had to the church.

The alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosive (ATF) and FBI office responded to the incident.

The fire after the shooting grew to a five alarms fire that caused a partial collapse of the structure, according to the officials responsible for enforcing the law. Just before 1 in the afternoon, the authorities said the fire had extinguished.

A victim was declared dead on the scene and the second was declared dead in a hospital, authorities said.

Henry Ford Genesys hospital issued a statement, saying that he was treating nine patients injured in the shooting.

An informed source about the investigation told ABC News that detectives are working urgently to determine the reason behind the shooting. The researchers are working to know if the Church had been the goal of threats in recent months and seeking to see if the moment could be connected with the death on the Saturday of Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Saints of recent days. He was 101 years old.

Nelson died at his home in Salt Lake City, said Church spokeswoman Candice Madsen, in a statement.

President Donald Trump said he has been informed about shooting and fire, writing on Sunday on social networks: “This seems to be another attack aimed at Christians in the United States of America.”

“The Trump administration will keep the public published, as we always do. Meanwhile, he says for the victims and their families. This epidemic of violence in our country must end, immediately!” Trump said.

Trump also wrote that the FBI leads research efforts. Trump said while the suspect is dead, “there is still much to learn.”

Vice President JD Vance published his own statement on social networks, calling the shooting and fire to a “horrible” south church. He said that the “Trump Administration” is monitoring the incident.

“Only a horrible situation in Michigan. The FBI is on the scene and the entire administration is monitoring things. I gave a prayer for the victims and lifeguards,” Vance wrote.

Shortly after the shooting, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a Publish in x“I am receiving reports about what seems to be a horrible shooting and fire in a Sud church in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, said his “heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community” in a Declaration in x.

“Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” he said. “I am grateful to the first to answer that they took measures quickly. We will continue monitoring this situation and holding the Church of Jesus Christ of the last days in Grand Blanc Close.”

Renye said during Sunday’s press conference that the FBI has assigned more than 100 agents to help in the investigation.

“Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this terrible tragedy,” said FBI director Kash Patel, in a publication on social networks.

The spokesman of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Saints of recent days, Doug Anderson, issued a statement confirming that the armed man opened fire against the congregation during Sunday worship services.

“The Church communicates with the application of the local law as the investigation continues that we receive updates on the condition of those affected,” Anderson said. “We offer thanks to emergency responders who help victims and families. We are deeply grateful for the effusion of prayers and concerns of so many people around the world. In times of sadness and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ. The places of worship are destined to be sanctuaries of the birds, prayer and connection. involved. “

For years, experts in application of national law and security have warned that religious institutions in all areas are being attacked for acts of violence.

“We can all agree that our houses of worship should be safe places for people to exercise their freedom of religion, but at this time we are seeing more and more that they are objectives of violence, and not only attacks against any faith,” said Michael Masters, who supervises security operations for the main network of Schools and Jewish synagogues of ABC. “Attacks against religious institutions are attacks against our democracy in general.”

Masters said there has been an increase in specific attacks throughout the faith based on faith in recent years.

“This is something we have been working for to prepare in the Jewish community for many years. In the current threat environment, criminals are often not distinguishing. There is the Jewish community, the SIJ community, the Annunciation Church and now the Sud Church in Michigan,” he said.