Motive sought in Michigan church attack

In the chaotic moments after a former Marine smashed his pickup truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan and began shooting, church members dragged others to safety while smoke filled the building, officials said Monday.

- By ISABELLA VOLMERT AND MARK VANCLEAVE

A FAMILY reunites outside a theater across the street from the site of the shooting Sunday in Grand Blanc.

(Emily Elconin)

Four people died and eight others were wounded in Sunday's attack just as services were underway in the crowded sanctuary. Authorities feared they would find additional victims, but by Monday everyone was accounted for after a sweep of the charred ruins, police said.

Investigators were focusing on what motivated the 40-year-old veteran to open fire and set ablaze the church in Grand Blanc Township, about 60 miles north of Detroit. The man was killed while exchanging gunfire with two officers, Township Chief of Police William Renye said.

Eight people — ages 6 to 78 — were injured, including five with gunshot wounds, the chief said. The others suffered smoke inhalation.

“This was an evil act of violence,” Renye said.

The FBI considered the attack — the second on an American church in a little over a month — an “act of targeted violence,” said Ruben Coleman, a special agent in charge for the bureau.

Investigators declined to discuss any possible motives during a news conference Monday.