2 dead, 8 hurt in Michigan church shooting

(NewsNation) — Two people have been killed and at least eight others injured after a shooting and fire at a Mormon church in Michigan on Sunday, according to police.

Police said the suspected shooter, a 40-year-old-man, drove his vehicle into the front of the church, before opening fire on church-goers. The shooter is dead after a shootout with law enforcement. There is no threat to the public at this time, according to a Facebook post by the Grand Blanc Township Police Department.

At some point during the shooting, a fire broke out, which the shooter is believed to have set. That fire has since been extinguished.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson confirmed that there was "multiple victims" adding that "this is a dynamic scene."

The shooting took place at around 10:25 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, a town about 50 miles north of Detroit. Police said hundreds of people are believed to have been in attendance during the service and that additional victims who were unable to escape the fire will likely be found.

“We do believe we will find some additional victims once we find the area where the fire was,” Police Chief William Renye said.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer condemned the shooting in a statement, writing "Violence anywhere especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable."

President Trump announced that a federal investigation into the shooting would get underway, while condemning the violence.

"PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY," Trump wrote in a social media post.

News of the shooting has put law enforcement across the country on alert, with the New York Police Department announcing it would be deploying additional resources to religious institutions across the city."

Attorney General Pam Bondi said she is receiving briefings on the shooting.

"I am receiving briefings about what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan," Bondi said. "@FBI and @ATFHQ agents are en route to the scene now. Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy."

For people onsite, police said the reunification site is the pavilion to the north, while offsite reunification will occur at the Trillium theater. Police are advising the public to avoid the area surrounding the church.

In a social media post, the Grand Blanc Township Police Department said they have set up a phone number for family members to contact authorities in order to find their loved ones. The number is 248-705-7352.