Gunman Shoots 10 in Church, Then Sets Building on Fire

A gunman crashed his pickup into the front door of the building, then opened fire with an assault rifle inside a packed church in Michigan on Sunday, shooting 10 people—before setting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on fire. At least two of the people shot were killed, the Detroit Free Press reports, and "multiple victims are in critical condition," Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said. Other worshippers might have been trapped by the flames. "We do believe that we will find some additional victims," said Renye. Officers killed the shooter during a gunbattle as he left church, police said.

Hundreds of people were in the church, which is about 50 miles north of Detroit just outside Flint, at the time of the attack. Police said they believe the gunman started the fire, but they aren't sure how. Flames and smoke poured from the church for hours, per the AP, before the fire was put out. First responders then began sifting through the wreckage. Survivors were reunited, hugging and sobbing, with family members at a nearby movie theater. Police identified the attacker as a 40-year-old man from Burton. They provided no information about whether he belonged to the congregation or what the motive for the attack might have been. The shooting occurred the morning after Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at 101.

Witnesses said they heard a loud boom just before 10:30am, then gunfire. "I thought maybe the steeple had fallen down," said Kristin Juarez. Paul Kirby said he went outside and saw a man get out of a truck and start shooting with a rifle, per the New York Times. A bullet went through the glass door beside Kirby, and a piece of shrapnel hit his leg before he ran inside to get his family to flee. Standing at a police cordon later, a church member who didn't attend the service was choked up, per the Free Press. "I know everyone who was there," Phillip Cotter said.
This file has been updated with new information.