In response to the recent church shooting in Michigan, Houston-area law enforcement is increasing security at local places of worship. According to Click2Houston, Constable Mark Herman's Office has added extra patrols at churches in Precinct 4. “Our mission is clear: to ensure that every resident can gather, worship, and find peace in their faith and community without fear,” the office stated. The measure comes after an earlier incident at Lakewood Church in Southwest Houston, where a woman opened fire, injuring her 7-year-old son and a man before being killed by off-duty officers.
On Sunday, during a service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, authorities say Thomas Jacob Sanford drove a pickup truck into the building and opened fire with a rifle. The attack caused a fire inside the church. Ten people with gunshot wounds were taken to hospitals, where two died, as reported by FOX26 Houston. One person remains in critical condition, while seven others are in stable condition. Police said more victims may be found inside the burned structure, but the total number is not yet known.
“We heard a large, just a large bang,” churchgoer Brian Taylor told reporters, describing how he and his wife fled as gunfire hit their vehicle’s windshield, as mentioned by FOX26 Houston. Authorities identified the gunman as 40-year-old Marine veteran Sanford, who lived near Burton with his family. The FBI called the incident targeted violence, and investigators searched Sanford’s home with cooperation from his family. Support centers are open for affected residents from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on designated days.
