One dead and nine injured in shooting and fire at Michigan church, say police

Flames and smoke could be seen rising from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc following the incident (Julie J @Malkowski6April via AP)

A gunman opened fire inside a Michigan church during Sunday services before apparently setting the building ablaze, killing at least one person and injuring nine before police shot him, authorities said.

Hundreds of people were inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township when a 40-year-old man rammed his vehicle into the front door, then exited the vehicle and started shooting, police chief William Renye told reporters.

Police believe he “deliberately” set the building on fire.

The suspect is accused of ramming a vehicle into the church before opening fire (Lukas Katilius/The Flint Journal via AP)

After the suspect left the church, two officers pursued him and “engaged in gunfire,” Mr Renye said. The man was killed.

Flames and smoke could be seen for hours before the blaze was put out.

First responders were then sifting through the wreckage.

“We do believe we will find some additional victims once we find the area where the fire was,” Mr Renye said.

Emergency services attended the scene on Sunday (Jose Juarez/AP)

Police said they did not yet have a motive for the fire or shooting. Investigators were searching the suspect’s residence in nearby Burton.

Authorities did not provide any additional details about the suspect, including whether he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.

US president Donald Trump said he was briefed on the shooting. In a social media post, he applauded the FBI, who local authorities said were sending 100 agents to the area, for responding.

“PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Mr Trump wrote.

Police said they did not yet have a motive for the fire or shooting (Jose Juarez/AP)

The church, circled by a car park and a large lawn, is located near residential areas and a Jehovah’s Witness church. It is in Grand Blanc Township, a community of roughly 40,000 people outside Flint.

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that her heart was breaking for the Grand Blanc community.

“Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said.

The shooting occurred the morning after Russell M Nelson, the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at 101.

The next president of the faith, known widely as the Mormon church, is expected to be Dallin H Oaks, as per church protocol.