**Tragedy Strikes Michigan Church as Gunman Opens Fire**

Thomas Jacob Sanford has been identified as the suspect in a tragic shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc, Michigan. During a Sunday service, Sanford allegedly drove a pickup truck through the church's front doors, exited the vehicle, and opened fire, resulting in at least two fatalities and multiple injuries.

The incident unfolded as hundreds of worshippers were present in the church, located approximately 60 miles north of Detroit. Police Chief William Renye reported that the suspect then set the building ablaze, which led to a significant fire that took hours to extinguish.

After fleeing the scene, Sanford was pursued by police, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which he was killed. Sheriff Renye indicated that first responders are currently sifting through the wreckage, expressing concern that more victims may be discovered as they investigate the area affected by the fire.

Initially, authorities reported nine injuries, but later updates revealed that one additional person succumbed to a gunshot wound at a hospital. The sheriff did not clarify whether this individual was included in the earlier injury count.

As of now, police have not established a motive for the shooting or the subsequent arson. Investigators are examining Sanford's residence in nearby Burton for further evidence. Details regarding his background, including any affiliation with the church, have not been disclosed.

This incident adds to a troubling trend of violent attacks on places of worship in the United States over the past two decades. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the situation and praised the FBI for their rapid response, announcing that 100 agents are being deployed to assist local authorities. In a social media post, he urged the public to "PRAY for the victims, and their families," and called for an end to the ongoing violence in the country.

The church, surrounded by a parking lot and a large lawn, is situated in a residential area close to a Jehovah’s Witness congregation. Timothy Jones, a member of a nearby ward, shared that his family had attended a youth fall festival at the Grand Blanc Township ward the night before the shooting. He recounted the panic that ensued as congregants received news of the shooting during their own service, prompting a lockdown and police presence for safety. His children were reportedly anxious to confirm the safety of their friends and family amidst the chaos.