GRAND BLANC, Mich.—A horrific act of violence shattered a Sunday morning service in Michigan on September 28, 2025, as a gunman rammed his vehicle into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) facility, opened fire on the congregation, and then set the building ablaze. The attack, which occurred in the Grand Blanc area, approximately 60 miles north of Detroit, resulted in the deaths of at least two people and left nine others injured from gunshot wounds. The gunman was killed after a shootout with responding police officers.
The incident began around 10:25 a.m. EDT when the suspect, identified by authorities as a 40-year-old man from nearby Burton, Michigan, deliberately crashed his pickup truck through the front doors of the church. He then exited the vehicle, firing an assault-style rifle at the hundreds of worshippers gathered inside for their Sunday service.
Fire and Ongoing Investigation
In addition to the shooting, authorities believe the attacker intentionally started a fire that quickly engulfed the structure. The church burned for hours before firefighters could contain the blaze. Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye stated that investigators were not yet able to fully search the wreckage due to the extent of the damage, warning that additional victims may be found once the scene is secured. Ten gunshot victims were transported to local hospitals, with two succumbing to their injuries. Two of the injured are reportedly in critical condition, while the others are listed as stable.
The assailant was ultimately killed by police after a brief pursuit and exchange of gunfire with two officers, one from the Grand Blanc Township Police Department and one from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Authorities confirmed that the suspect acted alone and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. They also revealed that three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found inside the suspect's vehicle.
Political and Community Response
The motive for the attack remains unknown and is currently under investigation. Law enforcement, including a large team of FBI agents, is actively searching the suspect’s residence and analyzing his phone records in an effort to determine his intentions.
The tragedy drew immediate national condemnation. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the incident on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it a "horrendous shooting" and adding, "This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America. The Administration will keep the Public posted... In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!"
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also released a statement, saying, "My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable."
The attack occurred just one day after the death of Russell M. Nelson, the 17th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which added a layer of sorrow for the faith community. Church spokesperson Doug Anderson released a statement expressing gratitude for first responders and offering prayers for the victims, adding, "Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection."
The latest incident is another grim entry into the recent history of mass shootings at U.S. places of worship, following a separate attack last month at a Catholic church in Minneapolis that left two dead and 18 injured. The small, residential community of Grand Blanc, a town of approximately 7,700 people, now grapples with the shock and grief of becoming the latest site of such a devastating act of violence. Local authorities have established reunification sites for families desperate for news of their loved ones.
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