Two days afterworshippers at a church in Michiganwere attacked in a hail of bullets and a wall of flames, authorities asked for patience as the search for a motive continued and a community reeled from the violence that claimed four lives. The shooting unfolded the morning of Sept. 28 when gunman Thomas Jacob Sanford drove a truck bearing American flags through the front of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, and opened fire on those inside. He is believed to have used gasoline to light a fire, which reduced much of the church to rubble. Hundreds of people were inside the chapel at the time of the shooting, which is being investigated as an "act of targeted violence," according to the FBI. Four people were killed and eight others were injured, with one in critical condition. read more:How the Mormon church shooting unfolded in Grand Blanc, Michigan Sanford, 40, was a military veteran who lived in nearby Burton, Michigan. He was killed while exchanging gunfire with responding police. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sept. 29 asked for patience as investigators continue to search for information about what may have motivated Sanford. "Speculation is unhelpful and it can be downright dangerous," Whitmer said. A week before the attack, Sanford told a local politician canvassing in his neighborhood that Mormons were "the Antichrist." In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, Sanford's father, Thomas Sanford, apologized to the victims of the attack. "I feel terrible about all the families that have been hurt and they're under the same crap that I'm going under, that my wife and I are going under," Sanford said, his voice breaking slightly. "I apologize for that." More:How the Mormon church shooting unfolded in Grand Blanc, Michigan The shooting unfolded just before 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, whilehundreds of peoplewere inside the chapel, authorities said. Two law enforcement officers who responded to the scene within 30 seconds of the first 911 call shot and killed Sanford in the church parking lot within minutes of the shooting. Two people died of gunshot wounds in nearby hospitals. The bodies of two others were discovered in the rubble of the church hours later. Authorities have not publicly released the names of the victims killed in the attack, but families and friendshave begun to identify their loved ones. John Bond, 77, was one of four congregants killed in the attack, according to aGoFundMecreated by his family. Bond, a Navy veteran, was remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. "He was a well-known and loved member of his family and active in his community," the family wrote. "(He) always loved spending time with his family and grandkids." At a news conference, Dr. Michael Danic, medical chief of staff at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital, told reporters that eight patients ranging in age from 6 to 78 were treated for gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation following the attack. Sanford lived miles from the church in Borton, Michigan, and served in the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008. While in the military, he was awarded several medals and commendations, the U.S. Marine Corps said. Renye said Sanford had previously been arrested on charges including burglary and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. It's unclear when the arrests happened. About a week before the shooting, he expressed distain toward the church and called Mormons "the Antichrist," according to Kris Johns, a candidate for the local Burton City Council. Johns was canvassing when he knocked on Sanford's door and the two men discussed religion, Sanford's time in the military, their children and battles with addiction. "It was very much standard anti-LDS talking points that you would find on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook," said Johns, adding that he has spoken with local police and the FBI about the encounter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Michigan church shooting: Here's what we know about gunman, victims
