The FBI has taken over the investigation into a deadly attack at a Latter-day Saints church in Michigan, calling it an act of targeted violence.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, authorities in Grand Blanc Township confirmed late Sunday that the death toll rose to four after officials recovered two additional bodies from the burned-out church. Police said the first two victims died from gunfire, while the other two were found in the building’s remains. Investigators believe the attacker used an accelerant, likely gasoline, to start the fire.
“The entire church has not been cleared because it’s a total loss due to the fire,” Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told Fox News, noting that some individuals remained unaccounted for as of Sunday night.
Renye said officers fatally shot the suspect—identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, Michigan—less than a minute after the first emergency calls.
“I can confirm at this time that the FBI is now leading the investigation and is investigating this as an act of targeted violence,” Special Agent Reuben Coleman said.
“This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country. The FBI is committed to continue finding out the facts, circumstances, and motives behind this tragedy,” Coleman added.
Renye said search teams continue to comb through the destroyed church and warned that additional victims could still be found.
