NEW: Suspect Identified In Michigan LDS Church Attack

The deranged gunman who killed at least two churchgoers in a shooting and firebombing attack targeting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, has been identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, according to reports from several major media outlets.

Sanford, a Marine veteran who served in the Iraq War, rammed his Chevrolet Silverado truck into the building before opening fire on churchgoers as they exited the building. An old Facebook post from Sanford’s mother says the gunman — who was killed in a shootout with responding officers — served in Iraq from 2004 through 2008.

Social media accounts connected to Sanford indicate that he is married and has a young son, according to a report from the New York Post. Police confirmed that Sanford hailed from nearby Burton, which is located just north of Grand Blanc.

The deceased killer also set fire to the building while carrying his attack. State and federal investigators have not yet determined the exact cause of the blaze, though multiple incendiary devices were recovered from the gunman’s truck and the surrounding area.

As many as three improvised devices were found at the scene, two law enforcement sources told NBC News.

Damage to the building was extensive, as firefighters battled the blaze for nearly an hour before they were able to get it under control. The entire building, including the roof, was completely engulfed in flames.

Police believe that there were additional victims who could not escape the blaze. A thorough search of the scene is ongoing as of this report.

Thomas Sanford, 40, has been identified as the deceased suspect in the attack

Overhead footage of the church shows a large plume of black smoke bellowing out as flames engulf the entire structure

Grambling County Police Chief Rodney Demery stated at an early afternoon press conference that hundreds of churchgoers were inside the building for church service at the time of the attack.

President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the attack in a social media post.

“The suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn. This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America,” he wrote in a Truth Social post. “THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”

Dozens of federal agents with the FBI and ATF are assisting local and state law enforcement agencies with the investigation. As of 5 p.m. Eastern Time, seven of the injured victims are in stable condition while one additional victim remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Officials have yet to determine a motive as of this report.