GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — In the chaotic moments after a former Marine smashed his pickup truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan and began shooting, church members pulled others to safety while smoke filled the building, officials said Monday.
Four people died and eight others were wounded in Sunday’s attack just as services were underway in the crowded sanctuary. Authorities feared they would find additional victims, but by Monday everyone was accounted for after a sweep of the charred ruins, police said.
Investigators were focusing on what motivated the 40-year-old veteran to open fire and set ablaze the church in Grand Blanc Township, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) north of Detroit. The suspect was also killed while exchanging gunfire with two officers, said Township Chief of Police William Renye.
Eight people — ages 6 to 78 — were shot and wounded but all are expected to recover, the chief said. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation, he said.
“This was an evil act of violence,” Renye said.