Death toll rises in US church attack

The death toll has increased following an attack on a church in the city of Grand Blanc, Michigan, in the United States. Grand Blanc Police Chief William Renye announced in a press conference that the number of fatalities has risen to 4.

Stating that 2 people lost their lives due to bullets fired by the attacker, while 2 others died in a fire the attacker started in the church, Renye reported that 8 people were also injured. Emphasizing that the targeted church has been rendered unusable and that search efforts in the wreckage are ongoing, Renye stated that they are "working tirelessly to identify any potential additional casualties." Thanking the police teams who were the first to respond to the attack as well as those who were in the church at the time, Renye said, "They were protecting the children in the church and moving them to a safe place."

SUSPICIOUS EXPLOSIVE DEVICES FOUND AT THE SCENE

James Deir, a representative from the Detroit Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), said that the attacker opened fire on the surroundings before using flammable materials to set the church on fire. Stating that some suspicious explosive devices were also found at the scene, Deir said, "However, we cannot say that these were used to start the fire."

Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, Reuben Coleman, stated that they are investigating the incident as a "targeted act of violence," adding, "There is no place for these acts of violence in our state or anywhere in our country. The FBI is committed to uncovering the facts and motives behind this tragedy."

ATTACKER IDENTIFIED AS IRAQ WAR VETERAN

According to information obtained from local authorities, the identity of the attacker, who was killed in an armed confrontation with police, has been clarified. It was stated that the attacker was 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a former Iraq War veteran. It was reported that the attacker's motive is not yet known.

ARMED ATTACK HAD TAKEN PLACE AT A CHURCH IN THE US

A scene of terror occurred during an armed attack at a church in the US state of Michigan. It was reported that an attacker who drove his vehicle into the church during a service opened fire on the surroundings and subsequently set the church on fire. According to initial reports, 1 person was stated to have died in the attack.

News Source: İHA