The police continue to search for engines in the shooting and the fire of the Michigan church

Investigators focused on what motivated a former navy to drive a van in the sanctuary of a church of Jesus Christ of the Holy Days of Michigan and Open Fire during a crowded service, killing at least four people while setting fire on fire.

The crews continued to seek victims in the charred rubble on Monday while the authorities said that “some” people were not completed following the Sunday morning attack which injured eight others in the canton of Grand Blanc, about 96 kilometers north of Detroit.

The FBI examined the attack – the second of an American church in just over a month – an “targeted act of violence”, said Ruben Coleman, special agent in charge of the office.

The authorities identified the shooter as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from the neighboring city of Burton.

Investigators deployed a robot when searching for the Sanford residence on Sunday, but did not say what they found or provided additional details about it, especially if it had a link with the Church of Jesus Christ of the Last Days, widely known as the Mormone church.

Look | Investigators are looking for a pattern in the shooting and the fire of the Michigan Michigan Michigan:

Investigators are looking for a pattern in the shooting and the fire of the Michigan church

The FBI says that he was investigating “an act of targeted violence” after a man crushed his vehicle through the entrance doors of a church in Michigan, opened fire with an assault rifle and set fire to the church, killing at least four people and injuring at least eight others. The author, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former American sailor, died during a shooting with the police, officials said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the investigators examined how much planning had entered the attack and if clues on the grounds had been left.

Search for more victims

The crews in white blankets and in case of banks searched what was left of the church on Monday morning. A silver van with two American flags on the back remained where he had broken the brick wall before a sign that says that “visitors are welcome”.

On the other side of the street, there was a SUV with exposed bullet holes in the windshield and the driver’s window.

The striker apparently used gas to trigger the fire and also had explosive devices, but he was not clear if he used them, said James Dier of the alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives.

The agents who answered a call to 911 were at the church in a minute, said the chief of the canton police, William Renye. The suspect was killed in the exchange of gunshots with two officers, said the chief.

The flames and smoke sank from the church for hours. The fire has emptied almost the whole building, consuming its bell tower and its white sanctuary; Only its exterior walls and a few side rooms remained standing.

Two bodies were found in debris, and Renye said that on Sunday, more victims could be found, but he did not have an exact number of missing persons.

One of the injured was in critical condition on Sunday evening, and the other seven were stable.

The suspect was deployed in Iraq

According to the files published by the Marine Corps, Sanford served for four years during the first years of the war against terrorism. He enlisted in 2004 and was released in 2008 to the rank of sergeant. He deployed once in Iraq for seven months and received a medal of good conduct, indicating three years of service without any major offense.

The shooting was the last of several attacks on worship in the United States in the past 20 years, including one in August who killed two children at the Annunciation church in Minneapolis.

It was also the second mass shoot in the United States in less than 24 hours. Saturday evening, a man in a boat opened fire on an NC crowd, killing three and injuring five.

President Donald Trump asked for prayers for the victims and their families. “This epidemic of violence in our country must end, immediately!” Trump wrote on social networks.

The shooting occurred one day after Russell Mr. Nelson, the oldest president of the UTAH based faith, died at 101.

“Places of worship are intended to be sanctuaries for creating peace, prayer and connection,” said spokesperson Doug Anderson. “We pray for peace and healing for all those involved.”

The impact of shooting is spread throughout the region

Brandt Malone, member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints who attended the services in another church on Sunday morning, said his congregation was evacuated when they heard of the attack.

“Everyone is in shock right now,” he said, adding that he knew a lot of people who were part of the Grand Blanc church.

“We consider the church and our worship services really as a sanctuary.”

The Grand Blanc community schools were closed on Monday to “allow families to treat and cry this tragedy with their children,” said Superintendent Trevor Alward in a letter. “This act of violence is reprehensible.”

A hundred people gathered for a prayer service on Sunday evening in a non -denominational Christian church in Grand Blanc. Many leaned his head and some were crying gently.

“We live in difficult and troubled days, tired and tiring days,” said Pastor Chuck Lindsey. “We are exhausted by evil, we are exhausted by these things. But Lord, you are our refuge.”