Authorities are releasing new details following a deadly shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township that left at least five people dead, including the suspect, and eight others injured.

“We're working tirelessly, we're working all night on this particular incident,” said Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye during a Sunday news conference.

The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Jacob Sanford of Burton, a Marine and Iraq War veteran. FBI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Ruben Coleman condemned the attack.

“This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country,” Coleman said. “The FBI is committed to continue finding out the facts, circumstances, and motives behind this tragedy. I can confirm at this time that the FBI is now leading the investigation and is investigating this as an act of targeted violence.”

In response, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered flags across Michigan to be lowered to half-staff through Friday. In a statement, she said her heart is “breaking for the Grand Blanc community” and added that “violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable.”

Other Mid-Michigan Weekend Incidents

Closer to home, a 17-year-old is recovering after being shot in the hip early Saturday morning. Lansing Police were dispatched to the area of Miller and Grovenburg around 9:45 a.m. but found no victim. A local hospital later notified officers that the teen had arrived with a gunshot wound. No arrests have been made, and the investigation continues.

East Lansing Police have also released body camera footage from an MSU Welcome Week arrest showing officers pepper-spraying two men involved in a fight outside a restaurant. A third person, who claimed he was attempting to break up the altercation, was also sprayed. The two men arrested for fighting are scheduled for pre-trial hearings next month.

In Ingham County, a 61-year-old Williamston man was killed in a motorcycle crash on I-96 westbound near Okemos Road. Sheriff’s officials say he lost control of the bike and veered into a ditch.

Local Government and Traffic Updates

Lansing commuters should be aware of lane shifts on Waverly Road between Holmes and Sandhurst beginning today for road maintenance. The work is expected to wrap up by the end of the day Friday.

Meanwhile, the Lansing City Council is set to consider a brownfield redevelopment plan tonight for new housing in the 1400 block of Turner Street in Old Town. The proposal also includes the sale of parking lot 57 to facilitate the project. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall.