"The suspected shooter in the killing of at least four people in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan on Sunday bore a virulent hatred of the Mormon religion which he frequently referred to as the antichrist, local people have reported. The hostile views of the suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, who was shot and killed by police minutes after he opened fire inside the church in Grand Blanc Township, have emerged as the FBI continues to search for a motive in the mass shooting. The authorities have labelled the incident as a targeted act of violence."
"Days before the shooting, a candidate for the local Burton city council, Kris Johns, had a doorstep encounter with Sanford lasting for about 20 minutes. Johns told the Detroit Free Press that the conversation quickly turned to Sanford's disdain for the Mormon faith. Sanford went on a tirade against the church, describing its worshippers as the antichrist, the newspaper reported."
"Sanford is suspected of having rammed his silver pick-up truck into the front doors of the Grand Blanc church before opening fire with a semi-automatic rifle on the hundreds of congregants inside. Two people were shot and killed, and two others were found dead in the wreckage of the church which was burnt to the ground using gasoline."
A 40-year-old suspect, Thomas Jacob Sanford, opened fire inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, and was shot and killed by police minutes later. At least four people died, including two shot inside and two found in the wreckage after the church was set ablaze with gasoline. Local residents and acquaintances reported that Sanford bore a virulent hatred of the Mormon faith and frequently called it the antichrist. Sanford reportedly became fixated on Mormons after living in Utah and after a failed relationship with a church member. Authorities have labeled the incident targeted while the FBI seeks a motive.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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