SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) — More details are coming to light about the suspect who opened fire in a Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Grand Blanc, Mich., including a connection to Utah.

Four worshippers were killed and several others were injured on Sunday after a man identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, drove through the front doors of the church, fired an assault rifle at hundreds of people gathered inside, and deliberately started the building on fire.

Sanford was shot and killed while exchanging gunfire with police at the church.

New developments

"This was an evil act of violence," Grand Blanc Chief of Police Brian J. Lipe said, adding that the suspect has a previous criminal record.

"You prepare in peace to perform in chaos," said Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson. He added that the department will be offering protection for groups conducting Bible studies across the county, regardless of denomination.

"Today this place has been shattered by bullets and broken glass," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said during a press conference Monday. Whitmer said that the motive for the shooting was still under investigation, cautioning against speculation and asking that the public "lower the temperature of rhetoric."

Michael Danic, medical chief of staff at Henry Ford Genesis Hospital, also spoke to the condition of the victims of the shooting.

"We had a total of eight patients … from the ages of 6 to 78. Five were gunshot wounds and three were smoke inhalations,"........

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