Live Updates: Church attack leaves 2 dead, 8 injured; suspect killed in shooting

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social share icon triggerMultiple victims treated at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital

Multiple victims injured in the shooting and fire are being treated by Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, a hospital spokesperson said.

“Our hearts go out to our patients, their families, and the community—including the people worshipping when the tragic act of violence occurred,” the hospital said. “Our hospital is fully staffed with experienced caregivers, and we are grateful to our team members who continue to care for all our patients at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital.”

The hospital was on lockdown due to the active shooter situation earlier. Lockdown was lifted around 1 p.m. local time.

social share icon triggerAt least three improvised devices found at scene, sources say

Marc Santia and Tom Winter

As many as three improvised devices were found at the scene, according to two senior U.S. law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. However, the investigation is still in its early stages.

A police officer tapes off an area, tying the police tape around a mailboxA police officer tapes off an area on the street in Grand Blanc, Mich., where Sunday's shooting took place.Emily Elconin / Getty Images

It’s not clear if these were incendiary devices or explosive devices, according to the people briefed.

The investigation is more challenging due to the crash and the fire, the officials cautioned.

social share icon triggerSecond person dies from church shooting

A second person has died in the shooting, police announced.

“There has been one more fatality due to gunshots. That person had died at a local hospital,” Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said in a video shared on Facebook.

Locals seeking to reunify with family members at the church can call (248) 705-7352, which will connect callers to the Red Cross, which is on site and can locate loved ones.

Starting tomorrow through the rest of the week, locals can come into the police department for counseling services, Renye announced.

social share icon triggerShooting comes hours after death of LDS president

The Associated Press

Today's deadly shooting came just hours after the death of Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who died yesterday at 101.

Worldwide Mormon Conference Convenes In Salt Lake CityRussell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in 2019.George Frey / Getty Images

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

Nelson, a former heart surgeon, spent four decades in the highest levels of church leadership after he was selected in 1984 to join a top church governing body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He ascended to the presidency in January 2018 when Thomas S. Monson died and in 2024 became the first president of the faith to hit the century mark.

Read the full story here.

social share icon triggerOfficials to address the public at 5 p.m. ET

Officials will host a press conference at 5 p.m. ET regarding the shooting.

Both Grand Blanc Township Police Chief Bill Renye and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are expected to attend the briefing. A press release from Swanson's office adds that they will offer updates on the investigation as well as victim support services.

social share icon triggerTexas to form task forces to protect houses of worship, governor says

Doha Madani and Tangni Noriega

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott responded to the news of the church attack by saying he will do more to protect places of worship.

He wrote in a post on X that he's directed the state's Department of Public Safety to form task forces with local and federal partners on the matter.

"The escalation of violent attacks against people and places of faith is heinous and must end," Abbott wrote.

social share icon triggerLDS church releases statement following deadly shooting and fire

Christiana Corporon and Mirna Alsharif

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement about today's shooting.

"The Church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected," said church spokesperson Doug Andersen. "We offer thanks to the emergency responders who are assisting victims and families."

Andersen said the church is "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," he said. "Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved."

social share icon triggerTrump reacts to church shooting

President Donald Trump said on Truth Social he was briefed on the shooting.

"The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families," he wrote in the statement posted to Truth Social. "THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!"


social share icon triggerPolice believe suspect set fire to church intentionally and more victims are possible

Police believe the suspect who opened fire at the church also intentionally set it on fire.

"We are still trying to determine exactly when and where that fire ended up coming from and how it got started, so we believe it was deliberately set out by the suspect," Renye said at this afternoon's briefing.

A motive for the fire is still unclear.

Renye said he believes there were people near the fire who may have been unable to escape.

"So, we do believe that we will find additional victims once we're able to search that, once there's no signs of a fire reigniting," he said.

social share icon triggerSuspect in church shooting and fire identified as 40-year-old Burton resident

Police identified the suspect in the church shooting and fire as a 40-year-old man from Burton.

According to Renye, the suspect drove his vehicle into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and began firing rounds at the hundreds of people who were attending Sunday service. The suspect used an assault rifle, police said.


social share icon triggerAt least 1 killed and 9 injured in church shooting

At least one person was killed and 9 were injured in today's shooting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, according to authorities.

The suspect was also killed in the shooting, police confirmed.

A couple of the remaining victims are in critical condition while the rest are stable, according to Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye.

Renye said he expects to find additional victims now that the fire at the church has been contained.

social share icon triggerVideo shows massive fire at LDS church

Drone video from Grand Blanc showed the massive fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A large plume of rising black smoke could be seen flanked by orange flames. The fire has since been contained, according to police.

social share icon triggerFire at church contained

Mirna Alsharif and Janhvi Bhojwani

The fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now contained, according to the Grand Blanc Township Police Department.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

"We do not have names of victims at his time," police said.

social share icon triggerGrand Blanc resident 'completely distraught' by church shooting and fire

Mirna Alsharif and Joe Kottke

Joe Ostrander, 25, a lifelong Grand Blanc resident, was driving to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he heard about the shooting and fire.

Aerial view of a large plume of smoke engulfing a buildingMassive flames and smoke rise from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Mich., on Sunday.Julie J, @Malkowski6April via X / AP

"I’ve never heard of anything like this ever happening in my city," Ostrander said.

He describes his hometown as "peaceful, quiet, small," and full of mom-and-pop shops.

"I’m completely distraught," he said.

social share icon triggerNYPD and LAPD deploying officers to religious institutions 'out of an abundance of caution'

Janhvi Bhojwani and Mirna Alsharif

The NYPD is deploying officers to religious institutions across the city "out of an abundance of caution" following reports of a shooting and fire at a church in Michigan today.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X that the city's officers would do the same, increasing patrols around places of worship.

"This type of violence is reprehensible and should have no place in our country," Bass wrote. "My heart is with the families impacted and the entire Grand Blanc community."

social share icon triggerGov. Whitmer: 'Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable'

Mirna Alsharif and Janhvi Bhojwani

In a statement, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community, where a shooting and fire at a church has been reported with several victims

"Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable," Whitmer said in the statement. "I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly."

social share icon triggerFBI and ATF responding to church shooting and fire

Mirna Alsharif and Janhvi Bhojwani

The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are responding to the LDS church where a shooting and fire have resulted in multiple victims, Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed.

"Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling," Bondi said in a statement.

The FBI will "provide any requested support necessary," FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said.

social share icon triggerGenesee County Sheriff: 'The entire church is on fire'

A fire remains active at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, according to Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson.

"The entire church is on fire," Swanson said in a video update, adding that the area is currently a dynamic scene.

Swanson confirmed that people who were at the church have been evacuated and that there are multiple victims. The scene is no longer a threat, he said.

"Just know that 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," he said.

social share icon triggerVideo shows a large plume of smoke rising from church

Video taken in Genesee County, Michigan, this morning shows a large plume of black smoke rising from the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc.

Police said there's an active fire at the church.

social share icon triggerRep. John James 'horrified' by report of shooting and fire at Michigan church

Janhvi Bhojwani and Mirna Alsharif

Rep. John James, R-Mich., said he is "horrified" about reports of a shooting and fire at a Grand Blanc church.

"On this Sunday, a day meant for worship and peace, such violence is a grave evil," James wrote on X. "Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community."

social share icon triggerShooting and fire at Michigan church, police say there are multiple victims

Christiana Corporon and Mirna Alsharif

Police confirmed this morning that there was a shooting at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Genesee County, Michigan.

The church is also actively on fire, according to the Grand Blanc Township Police Department.

"There are multiple victims and the shooter is down," police said. "There is NO threat to the public at this time."

It's not immediately clear whether the shooter is dead or in custody.

Police encouraged residents to avoid the area.