‘Horror’: 10 shot, including kids, in mass shooting at US Mormon church; building ablaze

Local police chief William Renye told reporters the suspect, a 40-year-old male from Michigan, drove his vehicle through the front doors of the Mormon church and then began firing at people inside with an assault rifle on Sunday.

He said the service was active with “hundreds of people within the church” at the time of the incident. Authorities believe the gunman also deliberately set fire to the house of worship before he was killed by responding police officers, Mr Renye said.

Ten gunshot victims were transported to hospital, including two who have died, the official said.

He added that the fire had been extinguished but that “we do believe that we will find additional victims once we have that scene secure.”

Churchgoers reportedly heard a loud bang as the attacker crashed his truck, which had two large American flags on the back, through the front door of the church and began shooting.

“We at first thought someone had accidentally crashed into the church, so we went out to help him,” the man told the local TV station.”

Dramatic aerial footage circulating online showed flames ripping through the church and thick black plumes of smoke rising high in the air over the leafy green Flint suburb, The NY Post reports.

Authorities directed people on site to a reunification pavilion to the north and said offsite reunification is at the Trillium theater at Holly and McCandlish.

Residents were urged: “PLEASE AVOID THE AREA!!” Further details, including victim conditions, were not immediately released by police.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintshas since issued a statement on the “tragic act of violence”.

“During Sunday worship services a gunman opened fire, and early reports indicate that multiple individuals were injured,” church spokesperson Doug Andersen said.

“Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”

US President Donald Trump called the shooting “horrendous” and said on his Truth Social platform it “appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.”

US Attorney General Pam Bondi posted that she is “receiving briefings” and that “FBI and ATF agents are en route to the scene now.”

She added, “Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X the bureau is “tracking reports of the horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church,” and that agents are on the scene to assist local authorities.

“Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this terrible tragedy,” he wrote.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement extending her sympathy to the community and condemning the heinous act of violence.

“My heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community. Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor the situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Grand Blanc close,” she wrote.

Anna Matson, a podcaster, posted a video on X showing her at the scene of the shooting. According to Ms Matson, witnesses said an unidentified individual drove a vehicle into the church and started shooting.

One of the victims was a young girl who was shot in the back, according to Ms Matson.

Ms Matson reported that she spoke to someone from South America who recently arrived in the United States and attended a church service on Sunday with his mother.

According to Ms Matson, the person managed to get out of the burning church but his mother remained in the building after the fire started.

- With AFP