In aftermath of Michigan LDS church attack, investigators seek gunman’s motive

Amna Nawaz:

We start the day's other headlines in Michigan.

Police say that everyone is accounted for after a gunman killed four congregants on Sunday at a Mormon church south of Flint. Eight others were injured, some during the aftermath, when the shooter set the church on fire. More than 100 federal officials are involved in the investigation, but no motive has yet been confirmed.

Deema Zein has our report on the latest.

Deema Zein:

Police scoured the charred ruins of what used to be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc Township one day after a gunman opened fire during Sunday service and set the entire building ablaze.

Chris Swanson, Genesee County, Michigan, Sheriff:

I saw what you trained for, what you planned for, and then reality hit yesterday morning in a bright sunny day when people went to worship.

Deema Zein:

The county sheriff praised law enforcement's swift response and brave churchgoers who risked their lives to protect children from gunfire.

Chris Swanson:

There are noble heroes who do not wear a uniform that went to that church yesterday. You're going to hear their stories as we lay out this case with law enforcement, but I will tell you this. Those heroes from that church did their job.

Deema Zein:

This morning, a silver pickup truck remained on the scene. Officials say 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former Marine, used it to ram through the building before getting out and shooting at hundreds of people. He then ignited a gasoline fire which destroyed the entire complex after burning for hours.

Police say they fatally shot the suspect shortly after. The FBI is still determining a motive, but called it an act of targeted violence. Others say the gunman was angry about the Mormon Church. One candidate for city council in the nearby city of Burton told The Detroit Free Press he met the suspect less than a week ago while campaigning.

In a tirade, the shooter called the religion the Antichrist.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI):

We have lots of questions. How could this happen?

Deema Zein:

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called for patience while the investigation plays out.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer:

At this juncture, speculation is unhelpful and it can be downright dangerous. So, I just ask that people lower the temperature of rhetoric.

Deema Zein:

It's the latest in a number of shootings targeting religious institutions in America. Just last month, two children were killed during back-to-school mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis; 19 others were injured.

And it wasn't even the only mass shooting of the weekend. In Southport, North Carolina three people were killed when a man fired toward a waterfront bar from his boat. The Coast Guard arrested the suspect, also a Marine veteran.

Back in Michigan, the physical damage in Grand Blanc is paired with emotional scars.

Brandt Malone, Church Member:

It feels like our world has turned upside down, but, honestly, this is where — this is where our faith plays a huge part in everything like that to be able to say, look, we're not exactly sure why things happen that way, but we have our faith that we can rely on.

Deema Zein:

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Deema Zein.