By Jack Phillips
Several people have been shot at a Mormon church in Michigan and the suspected shooter has been taken down, authorities said Sunday.
The shooting occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday, said authorities on social media.
“There’s has been an active shooter at the church of Latter Day Saints on McCandlish Rd,” officials with the Grand Blanc Police Department said. “There are multiple victims and the shooter is down.”
The police department added that a reunification site for family members was set up onsite and offsite. It also advised people to avoid the area.
Local television footage revealed a significant law enforcement and emergency response presence. Footage showed that there appeared to be a significant fire at the church.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said the area had been evacuated and local and federal authorities were on scene.
“The entire church is on fire,” Swanson told The Associated Press. “This is a dynamic scene.”
He said authorities would release more details later. It’s not clear what caused the fire.
“There’s a lot of things that are happening that we are not able to communicate just because of the work that needs to be done,” Swanson added.
Grand Blanc is a community of around 8,000 located outside Flint, Michigan, roughly 70 miles northwest of Detroit. The church, encircled by a parking lot and a large lawn, is located near residential areas and a Jehovah’s Witness church in Grand Blanc.
Authorities did not say how many people were shot, injured, or died in the incident. The suspected shooter also was not identified as of publication time.
Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a post on X that she is being briefed.
“I am receiving briefings about what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan,” Bondi said. “@FBI and @ATFHQ agents are en route to the scene now. Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the violence at that the church, adding that agents are on the scene investigating and that his office is monitoring the situation.
In a statement on social media, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said that her “heart is breaking for the Grand Banc community” and condemned violence “especially in a place of worship.”
The Democratic governor added that she is continuing to monitor the situation after the shooting.
Republican Michigan candidate for governor Sen. Aric Nesbitt wrote on social media: “These heinous attacks on our faith and way of life can never be tolerated on American soil. My office is monitoring this situation closely and we are praying for everyone involved.”
The shooting occurred a day after Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at 101, the church said in a statement Saturday. The next president of the faith, known widely as the Mormon church, is expected to be Dallin H. Oaks, per church protocol. Around 2 percent of Americans identify has members of the church, according to Pew Research.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
