Mass Casualty Event at Grand Blanc Latter-day Saints Church Shocks Nation
On Sunday, September 28, 2025, a quiet morning worship service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, erupted into chaos when a gunman crashed his truck through the building’s wall, opened fire with an assault-style rifle, and set the structure ablaze. Police confirmed multiple injuries and at least one fatality, with emergency crews racing to the scene as flames engulfed the sanctuary.
What We Know So Far
- Location: Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, Grand Blanc, MI
- Time: Approximately 10:25 AM local time
- Suspect: One male shooter, killed in exchange of gunfire with police
- Casualties: At least 1 dead, 9+ injured (some critically)
- Method: Truck ramming, mass shooting, intentional arson
Eyewitness Accounts: Terror and Heroism
| Witness | Experience |
|---|---|
| Paul Kirby, 38 | Heard explosion, saw gunman with rifle. Shrapnel hit his leg as he rescued his wife and children. “The scaredest I’ve ever been.” |
| Kristin Juarez, 54 | Hid in bathroom during gunfire. Thought she would die—reunited with husband after hearing his voice. |
| John Juarez, 57 | Helped carry wounded congregants. Returned to find wife; saw burning truck with engine still running. |
| Debbie Horkey, 74 | Watched from condo backyard: “Screaming and gunshots… one woman just yelling for help.” |
| Tony Deck, 56 | Brought bottled water to scene. Saw yellow tarps over bodies. Plea: “Just respect humans.” |
Infographic: Anatomy of the Attack
Law Enforcement Response
Local police arrived within minutes and engaged the suspect, who was killed at the scene. The FBI and ATF have launched a joint investigation into the motive, which remains unknown. Authorities confirmed the suspect acted alone and had no known ties to the congregation.
“This was a deliberate, violent act against a place of worship,” said Michigan State Police Colonel James Wilson. “Our hearts are with the victims and their families.”
A Growing Trend of Attacks on Sacred Spaces
The Grand Blanc shooting is the latest in a disturbing wave of violence targeting religious institutions, including a deadly attack on a Minneapolis Catholic church just weeks earlier that killed two children. Experts warn that houses of worship remain vulnerable due to limited security infrastructure.
[INTERNAL_LINK:attacks_on_religious_institutions] | [INTERNAL_LINK:church_security_best_practices]
