FBI, Shooter In Michigan Church Attack Motivated By Hate

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The FBI has confirmed that the man who opened fire in a Michigan church and set it ablaze was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While friends of the gunman in the deadly shooting have said he long harbored hatred against the church, the FBI had previously declined to specify the motivation behind the attack that left four people dead and the church burned to the ground, except to say it was “targeted.” The gunman, Thomas Jacob Sanford, was killed by responding law enforcement. The FBI confirmed the motive on Friday. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is commonly known as the Mormon church.