Topline: A Michigan congregation is planning a larger meetinghouse one year after a gunman attacked worshippers and set their church on fire, killing four people.
Published: September 30, 2026 7:04 am ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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via Grand Blanc Township Church
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI — A congregation whose church was attacked and burned a year ago is rebuilding, with plans for a larger meetinghouse after violence that killed four people and injured several others.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road expects construction to take about 14 months, WDIV reported on September 28, the first anniversary of the attack. The new building will be larger than the previous stake center.
On September 28, 2025, a gunman crashed his truck into the church, fired on congregants and set the building ablaze. WDIV reported that the FBI determined the attack was targeted violence motivated by the shooter’s anti-religious beliefs against the Mormon community.
Township Police Chief William Renye described people shielding children inside the church and moving them to safety. Dr. Bridger Frampton, a father who was there, worked to rescue his own children and several others.
Frampton recalled hearing gunfire and wondering which of his friends were being struck as the attack unfolded.
The congregation shared photographs of the original Grand Blanc Stake Center as it prepared to rebuild. Ground was broken for that building in 1980, and construction was completed in 1981.
WDIV reported that attendance at the rebuilding ceremony was limited to invited guests because of a local ordinance and the active construction site. The church provided a public livestream link for people unable to attend.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Grand Blanc Township Church to Rebuild One Year After Attack Killed Four
A Michigan congregation is planning a larger meetinghouse one year after a gunman attacked worshippers and set their church on fire, killing four people.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 30, 2026 7:04 am ET
via Grand Blanc Township Church
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI — A congregation whose church was attacked and burned a year ago is rebuilding, with plans for a larger meetinghouse after violence that killed four people and injured several others.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road expects construction to take about 14 months, WDIV reported on September 28, the first anniversary of the attack. The new building will be larger than the previous stake center.
On September 28, 2025, a gunman crashed his truck into the church, fired on congregants and set the building ablaze. WDIV reported that the FBI determined the attack was targeted violence motivated by the shooter’s anti-religious beliefs against the Mormon community.
Township Police Chief William Renye described people shielding children inside the church and moving them to safety. Dr. Bridger Frampton, a father who was there, worked to rescue his own children and several others.
Frampton recalled hearing gunfire and wondering which of his friends were being struck as the attack unfolded.
The congregation shared photographs of the original Grand Blanc Stake Center as it prepared to rebuild. Ground was broken for that building in 1980, and construction was completed in 1981.
WDIV reported that attendance at the rebuilding ceremony was limited to invited guests because of a local ordinance and the active construction site. The church provided a public livestream link for people unable to attend.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Grand Blanc Township Church to Rebuild One Year After Attack Killed Four
A Michigan congregation is planning a larger meetinghouse one year after a gunman attacked worshippers and set their church on fire, killing four people.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: September 30, 2026 7:04 am ET
via Grand Blanc Township Church
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, MI — A congregation whose church was attacked and burned a year ago is rebuilding, with plans for a larger meetinghouse after violence that killed four people and injured several others.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road expects construction to take about 14 months, WDIV reported on September 28, the first anniversary of the attack. The new building will be larger than the previous stake center.
On September 28, 2025, a gunman crashed his truck into the church, fired on congregants and set the building ablaze. WDIV reported that the FBI determined the attack was targeted violence motivated by the shooter’s anti-religious beliefs against the Mormon community.
Township Police Chief William Renye described people shielding children inside the church and moving them to safety. Dr. Bridger Frampton, a father who was there, worked to rescue his own children and several others.
Frampton recalled hearing gunfire and wondering which of his friends were being struck as the attack unfolded.
The congregation shared photographs of the original Grand Blanc Stake Center as it prepared to rebuild. Ground was broken for that building in 1980, and construction was completed in 1981.
WDIV reported that attendance at the rebuilding ceremony was limited to invited guests because of a local ordinance and the active construction site. The church provided a public livestream link for people unable to attend.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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