This is what President Donald Trump had to say about yesterday’s horror in Michigan.

Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye delivered a press conference last night at which he named Sanford and gave an update on the condition of the injured parties.

He also commended members of the church for their bravery in the face of the unimaginable violence they faced, noting that many were shielding the children inside the building as they rushed them to safety.

“Just hundreds of people, just practicing their faith,” was how Reyne characterized the congregants.

“We do believe that there were people up there that were near that fire and they were unable to get out of the church. So, we do believe we will find additional victims once we’re able to search that, once there’s no signs of a fire reigniting.”

Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, was identified as the suspect, police said during a press conference on Sunday evening.

He is understood to be a decorated former U.S. Marine from Burton, Michigan, with a “stellar” service record.

Andrea Cavallier and Isabel Keane have more.

Shocking aerial footage widely shared on social media yesterday shows the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ablaze.

If you’re just joining us, here’s a reminder of the horrific events in Grand Blanc, Michigan, yesterday.

Just as Sunday service was getting underway at the town’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, congregants heard a loud boom near the front of the building. Fearing that someone was injured, some moved toward the sound to help, but were met with gunfire.

A man police have identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton, Michigan, rammed his Chevy Silverado truck – adorned with a pair of American flags in the bed – through the church’s front door and began firing an assault rifle at the hundreds of gathered worshippers. At some point, he set the church ablaze while terrified congregants were still trapped in the building.

By the time the shooting was over, one victim was dead, eight others were wounded, and Sanford was killed in a gunfight with police.

Later in the day, three more victims were declared dead; one from a gunshot wound, and two others who were found later in the evening inside the burned remains of the church.

Graig Graziosi has this full report.

About 100 people gathered for a prayer service Sunday evening at The River Church in Grand Blanc, a nondenominational Christian church about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Many bowed their heads, some cried softly. A few spoke their prayers aloud, asking for healing for the victims, the victims’ families and first responders.”We live in days that are difficult and troubled, days that are weary and tiring,” said Pastor Chuck Lindsey, leading the congregation in prayer.

“We’re exhausted by the evil, we’re exhausted by these things. But Lord, you are our refuge.”

Timothy Jones, 48, said his family is part of another Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints congregation, or ward, about 15 minutes away, but that his children were at the Grand Blanc Township ward Saturday night for a youth fall festival.

He and his family moved to Flint two years ago in large part because of how strong the faith’s community is in the area, he said.

As people in his congregation got word of the shooting from texts and phone calls during their Sunday service, his ward went into lockdown and police came as a precaution, he said. His children were “frantically, just trying to get word that people were OK.”

Sundays are “supposed to be a time of peace and a time of reflection and worship,” Jones said.

Yet in the wake of violence at other houses of worship, a shooting “feels inevitable, and all the more tragic because of that,” he added.

The shooting occurred the morning after Russell M. Nelson, the oldest-ever president of the Utah-based faith, died at 101.

The next president is expected to be Dallin H Oaks, per church protocol.

“The church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected,” spokesperson Doug Anderson said.

“Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”

The FBI’s Detroit field office has asked members of the community to share information and tips about the church attack to help the agency’s investigation.

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that her heart was breaking for the community.

“Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said.

Striking nurses at nearby Henry Ford Genesys Hospital left the picket line and ran the short distance to the church to help first responders, Teamsters Local 332 president Dan Glass said.

“Human lives matter more than our labor dispute,” Mr Glass said.