Local police responding to the mass shooting at Michigan Latter-day Saints church Sunday morning were on the scene in just 30 seconds and killed the gunman within minutes, authorities said.
Grand Blanc Township cops received the call of a shooting around 10:25 a.m. as the church service was in full swing, police said.
Local police responded to the shooting Sunday in 30 seconds. AFP via Getty ImagesOne of the officers and a worker with the nearby Department of Natural Resources were on the church grounds within 32 seconds, said Police Chief William Renye during a press conference.
The gunman, 40-year-old Iraq War vet Thomas Sanford, was “neutralized” in the church parking lot by 10:33 a.m., Renye said.
Thomas Sanford (right) is the suspect believed to be responsible for the shooting on Sunday. Facebook/Tella SanfordFour people have been confirmed dead and eight others were wounded in the attack.
One of the wounded victims is still in critical condition.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Michigan church shooting
- Michigan church shooter Thomas Sanford’s family ‘completely in shock’ over his deadly rampage
- Thomas Sanford had prior arrests ahead of deadly attack, officials reveal, as all worshippers inside accounted for
- Thomas Sanford called Mormonism ‘the antichrist’ in hateful tirade to city council candidate
- Michigan gunman’s mom posted eerie message about someone ‘avoiding accountability’ days before shooting
During the attack, the entire church was engulfed in flames. Multiple improvised explosive devices were found at the scene and are being investigated by a bomb squad, sources told The Post.
Hundreds of parishioners were worshipping inside when Sanford rammed his truck, draped with multiple American flags, into the church and opened fire with an assault rifle.
Sanford’s truck, which he used in the attack, is seen adorned with American flags. APIn the chaos, parishioners rushed to the driver’s aid, thinking someone had mistakenly crashed into the church.
Some children were reportedly injured, including a young girl who was shot in the back.
Other residents living near the church told USA Today that they saw “at least four yellow canvases over dead bodies” in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
Police are investigating if Sanford had any connection to the death of the LDS church’s longtime national president Russell M. Nelson, who passed on Saturday at 101 years old.
Officials said they will provide another update at 8 p.m. EST.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
