Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered public buildings to fly flags at half-staff in memory of those who were killed in yesterday's attack at a church in Grand Blanc Township.

Police say a former Marine drove his truck through the doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, started shooting at the hundreds of people worshiping inside, then set the building on fire.  Police identify the killer as Thomas Sanford of Burton, a former Marine who served in Iraq. 

Investigators say at least four people died and eight others were hurt.  

Officers fatally shot the gunman in the parking lot. The FBI is leading the investigation, trying to find a motive. 

Additional headlines from Monday, September 29, 2025

Arab Con 

People from across the nation gathered for ArabCon this past weekend. The event was put on by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the largest Arab American grassroots civil rights organization in the U.S. The group hosts this annual convention as a way to promote cultural heritage, and bring together community leaders, activists, artists, and entrepreneurs. 

United Way preparedness

United Way and Verizon are raising awareness for emergency preparedness as part of a community resiliency initiative. Marcus Coleman Jr. is the Vice President for Community Resiliency Strategy at United Way Worldwide. He says the organization was created in response to crisis and now there are 1,100 branches in 35 countries. Coleman says United Way is hosting workshops to teach people about preparedness. People can find out more about workshops and tips at unitedway.org/prepare. 

Operation Warm 

The national nonprofit Operation Warm manufactures and distributes coats and shoes to students in need at Title I, or low-income, elementary schools. Operation Warm has two gifting events coming up this year: one in Warren in October and one in Detroit in November. Families whose children attend a Title I school can ask their school to join the Operation Warm wishlist and stay in the know about upcoming distributions.