The shooter has been shot and there is no longer an active threat, the police report. The shooting took place during a service at a Mormon church in the city of Grand Blanc. The authorities report two dead, including the shooter. It is not clear how seriously injured the other victims are.
The man is said to have driven into a car against the door of the church, got out and opened the fire on hundreds of praying people. The shooter then set fire to the church. After hours the fire was extinguished. A lot of smoke could be seen on online images.
Iraq veteran
According to the New York Post, De Schutter is an Iraq veteran who would have been sent to the country between 2004 and 2008. Sources surrounding the investigation would have confirmed that to the newspaper.
President Donald Trump spoke in an initial reaction of “another attack on Christians.” The police have not yet made any announcements about the motive for the deed.
The shooting raises many questions. Today in Salt Lake City in the American state of Utah Mormonen leader Russell M. Nelson died at the age of 101. He was the oldest president of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Saints of the last days, as the religious community is officially called.
Nelson was a heart surgeon and his entire life a member of the Mormon Church, from 1984 as a ‘apostle’ and in 2018, when he was already 93, he acted as a president. In that position he was also seen as a prophet.
The Mormon Church has more than 17 million members worldwide, most of whom live in the United States and especially in Utah. The largest temple is in Salt Lake City. In addition to the Bible, the members also use Mormon’s book, which founder Joseph Smith wrote about the oldest inhabitants of America.
Well-known (former) members Mormon Church
Well-known members or former members of the Mormon Church are former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the pop band The Osmonds and actor Ryan Gosling.
The Netherlands has 7000 Mormons. The only temple is in Zoetermeer.