Michigan police on high alert after third church attack in less than a year

GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. (WEYI) — Michigan law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols around houses of worship after what authorities described as the third church attack in less than a year in the state.

The most recent attack was Sept. 28 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, less than 40 miles from the temple in West Bloomfield. In response to the shooting at Temple Israel, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office plans to increase patrols, including around synagogues, mosques and churches.

Sheriff Chris Swanson said, “So from synagogues to mosques, we’re making sure that everybody has extra patrols.” He added, “We will definitely be near some of the churches.”

Michigan police on high alert after third church attack in less than a year

Five months ago, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and multiple agencies, including the Grand Blanc Township Police Department, responded to an attack. Swanson said the latest incident “just brought back some memories,” adding, “I feel for the West Bloomfield Township Police Department and their entire community, because this is an incident that we don’t want to relive here in Michigan or even close to us.”

Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said he understands what West Bloomfield police are dealing with and expects investigators to focus on the suspect’s background and motive. “What they’re going to do is they’re going to look into the suspect’s history,” Renye said. “You know, what was the motive for going over to the church and doing such an act or attempting to do such an act?”

The deadly attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last September left four people dead and multiple others injured. The man in that attack was shot and killed by law enforcement.

Renye said the incidents can be traumatic for those who have already lived through similar violence. “This is a trigger for a lot of people who live through what happened in September of last year, responders, communities, people who lost their lives, people who are still healing from their wounds,” he said.

Both Renye and Swanson urged vigilance and preparedness. Swanson said, “We see it yet again, you had an engagement of the guard inside that building from what I’m being told by the reports. That is the first line of defense as an outside perimeter or an inside perimeter.”

In this image taken from video released by Julie J, @Malkowski6April, Massive flames and smoke rise from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, about 50 miles north of Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Julie J, @Malkowski6April via AP)

Renye encouraged churches to plan and stay aware. “First and foremost, I would say my advice is don’t ever think that this can’t happen in your community,” he said. “So you always want to come up with a plan. So because failure to plan is planning to fail. So first and foremost, I would say become situationally aware. Be aware of your surroundings, you know, as far as if you’re in church leadership, you know, what are your strengths and what are the weaknesses of your church?”

The Grand Blanc Township Police Department and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office also have training available for churches, and agencies said patrols are being increased to help keep the community safe.