The first victim of a mass shooting at a Mormon church in Michigan has been identified as John Bond, a 76-year-old grandfather and US Navy veteran. Bond was one of four people killed on Sunday when a gunman opened fire on worshippers at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, about 50 miles north of Detroit.
Bond, a software salesman and father of six, served nine years in the US Navy. His family described him as a 'well-known and loved member of his family and active in his community' on a GoFundMe page set up to support his wife, Joanne. His wife recalled their final moments together, saying he had dressed in a suit for church and remarked that his shoes needed a shine before telling her 'I love you.'
During Sunday's service, the gunman — identified by police as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, a Marine and Iraq War veteran — rammed his truck into the church, set the building on fire and began shooting at congregants. One shooting victim died at the scene, another died in hospital, and two more were killed in the fire. Eight people were taken to hospital, including Bond, who died during surgery. Seven others were injured, among them Ben Phelps, who was shot in the abdomen, and his six-year-old son, who was shot in the arm and has since been released.
Several victims remain in hospital. Two gunshot victims, including one with multiple wounds to the chest and abdomen, were in critical condition on Monday. Two patients suffering from smoke inhalation had been discharged, while a third remained intubated. Hospital chief medical officer Dr Michael Danic said the attack was personal for some staff, as several resident physicians were also members of the Mormon church. He described the response as heroic, with people going 'in and out of the fire to drag people out.'
Police confirmed on Monday that all churchgoers had been accounted for and no further remains were found in the rubble. The FBI has described the attack as 'an act of targeted violence' and has conducted more than 100 interviews. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, though the FBI is investigating reports that Sanford 'hated people of Mormon faith,' according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. A search of Sanford's residence was under way, and investigators were seeking warrants.
