Five dead in mass shooting and arson attack at Michigan Mormon church

The main suspect who killed at least four people at a Mormon church has been identified as Iraqi war veteran Thomas Jacob Sanford.

Hundreds were about to take the sacrament inside Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc when Sanford, 40, allegedly rammed his truck through the front door.

He got out with an assault rifle and started shooting at the congregation that had gathered at the church about 50 miles north of Detroit on Sunday.

The father-of-one, commonly known as Jake, is believed to have set the packed church on fire before being killed in a police shootout.

Two other dead bodies were discovered with gunshot wounds, with two more victims then found in the burned remains of the church.

At least eight other churchgoers are injured, while authorities admitted there are an ‘unknown number’ of worshippers unaccounted for in the charred wreckage.

Brave congruents put themselves in the line of fire to protect children during the gunfire, local police chief William Renye said on Sunday.

‘They were shielding the children who were also present within the church, moving them to safety,’ he said. ‘Just extreme courage.’

Police officers responded within 30 seconds to the first 911 call and Sanford was shot dead within minutes.

The suspect’s truck was found laden with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s) police told local media.

Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford?

Sanford served in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008 and was deployed in Iraq, NBC news reports.

He received a number of honours for his service, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

But one family friend told journalist Ty Steele that the alleged attacker had been suffering with PTSD.

Social media accounts believed to be connected to Sanford appear to show he’s a family man, with a wife and young son.

In one picture, Sanford can be seen wearing a pro-Trump shirt with the message ‘Make Liberals Cry Again’.

Pictures of the pickup truck Sanford used to ram through church doors showed he had two American flags attached.

Officers are investigating this as an ‘act of targeted violence’ and still searching for a motive.

President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the shooting. In a social media post, he applauded the FBI, who sent 100 agents to the area.

“PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!’ Trump wrote.

‘The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected,’ Doug Anderson, a spokesperson for Utah-based faith said in a statement.

‘Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.’

The state’s governor Gretchen Whitmer said her ‘heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community’ after the shooting.

She added: ‘Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly.’

John James, a Republican representative for Michigan, said on social media that he was ‘horrified’ about the reports.

‘On this Sunday, a day meant for worship and peace, such violence is a grave evil,’ he added.

‘Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community.’

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