Who Is the Michigan Church Shooting Suspect? Everything We Know So Far

A tragic shooting took place on Sunday morning, September 28, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. One person was killed, and nine others were injured. Authorities have confirmed the attacker was a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, who was shot and killed by police at the scene. His name has not been released yet.

The mass shooting shocked local worshippers and spread rapidly across social media. Some misinformation also surfaced online when an AI tool falsely named a well-known musician as the gunman, forcing a public correction.

Confirmed Details About the Michigan Church Shooting Suspect

Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye told reporters that the shooter drove a vehicle through the front entrance during a large worship service. He then opened fire on the congregation and started a fire that grew into a four-alarm blaze. Police officers quickly responded and engaged the suspect in a brief gunfight, killing him at the scene. No other suspects are being sought.

As of late Sunday night, authorities have not shared the suspect’s identity, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to notify family members. Federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are helping local investigators examine the shooter’s background and possible motives.

Police have asked the public to avoid spreading unverified information about the gunman’s identity. They also emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

False Claim Circulated by AI Tool Grok

Shortly after the shooting, posts on X (formerly Twitter) began sharing a claim from the AI platform Grok, which incorrectly named Robert James Smith — the lead singer of the British band The Cure — as the suspect. The claim quickly went viral before experts and users flagged it as false.

Grok later issued a public correction, admitting the error and calling it a “glitch.” The platform clarified that Robert James Smith is not connected to the incident in any way and that the real suspect has not been identified publicly. This incident highlights growing concerns about the speed of AI-driven misinformation during breaking news events.

Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation

The Grand Blanc community is grappling with grief after the attack. The church building suffered severe fire damage and will require major reconstruction. Mental health support and counseling have been made available to affected families and survivors.

Officials say the investigation is ongoing and will focus on the shooter’s motives, possible online activity, and how he obtained his weapons. Updates are expected as law enforcement confirms more verified details.

The main keyword — who is Michigan church shooting suspect — remains unanswered for now. Authorities continue to withhold the suspect’s name while verifying facts and informing next of kin.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is the Michigan church shooting suspect?

Police have confirmed the shooter was a 40-year-old man from Burton, Michigan, but have not released his name yet.

Q2: Did AI tools spread false information about the suspect?

Yes. The AI platform Grok incorrectly named musician Robert James Smith as the shooter and later apologized for the error.

Q3: How many people were injured in the Grand Blanc church attack?

One person died and nine others were injured, according to police reports.

Q4: Is the community still at risk after the shooting?

No. Police say the suspect was killed at the scene and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Q5: What started the fire at the church?

Authorities say the gunman intentionally set the fire after driving into the building and opening fire.