What we know about the suspect in the Michigan church shooting and fire

As the search for more victims in the mass shooting and fire at a Mormon church in Michigan continues, officials are releasing details about the man suspected of turning a Sunday service into a scene of horror.

Authorities have said Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, drove a vehicle through the front doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, before opening fire and setting the building ablaze.

He used an assault rifle, officials said.

At least five people were killed in the Sunday morning attack – including the gunman – and at least eight others were injured. Police believe more bodies may be found in the remains of the burned-down building.

Grand Blanc is about 50 miles north of Detroit. Sanford was from the nearby town of Burton.

According to Sky’s US partner network NBC News, Sanford served in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008.

He was an organisational automotive mechanic and vehicle recovery operator, reaching the rank of sergeant, and was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2007 to March 2008.

Sanford earned several awards, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

His last assignment was with the 2nd Maintenance Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

‘Suspected explosive devices’

Sanford used an accelerant, believed to be gasoline, to start the fire, James Dier, of the Detroit Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said.

Some “suspected explosive devices” were found, but it’s not clear whether they were used to initiate the blaze, Mr Dier added.

The FBI, which is leading the investigation into the attack, is treating the case as “an act of targeted violence”, according to Reuben Coleman, acting special agent in charge of the bureau’s Detroit field office.

Authorities received a call about the shooting at 10.25am local time, and officers were on the scene just seconds later, Grand Blanc Township Chief William Renye told reporters.

Sanford “was neutralised at 10.33am” in the parking lot of the church, he added.

Officials did not disclose a motive.

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Images showed a pickup truck, presumably driven by Sanford, rammed into the church building, with two American flags visible in the rear.

Two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation told NBC News there were as many as three improvised devices found at the scene.

Michigan police have urged residents to stay vigilant, as they have been responding to additional bomb threats at different locations in the community.

Some of those threats were at other churches and have been cleared by state police.