Crime
Who is Marcus Hale? Is Grand Blanc Mormon Church shooter a Veteran?
Grand Blanc, Michigan — In the aftermath of the mass shooting and fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, questions continue to emerge regarding the identity of the gunman, his background, and possible motives.
Unconfirmed accounts initially suggested that the name “Marcus Hale” might not refer to a person, but instead to a term associated with an online movement frequently mentioned on dark web forums in recent months. Some sources speculated it was part of an extremist code rather than an individual.
Witnesses at the scene reported overhearing someone refer to the attacker as a “40-year-old Iraqi veteran,” though it remains unclear whether this meant he was of Iraqi descent or a veteran of the Iraq War.
Authorities said suspect rammed his truck into the church’s front entrance before opening fire on worshippers with an assault-style rifle.
He then set the church on fire.
Drone footage later captured the building engulfed in flames, with portions of the roof collapsing.
At least 10 people were shot, with one confirmed fatality and the possibility of additional victims still inside the burning structure.
Police fatally shot the suspect outside the church, where video from the scene showed his body lying near the smoldering building.
Suspect’s truck, bearing an Iraqi Conflict Veteran license plate, has drawn heightened concern. Scanner reports indicated that the vehicle began emitting a beeping sound, raising fears of an improvised explosive device (IED). Bomb squad teams are actively investigating a suspicious item near the church believed to be an explosive.
According to unconfirmed reports, suspect was a former Army veteran with a documented history of mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Authorities are also examining online activity in which suspect allegedly expressed anti-Mormon rhetoric, suggesting the possibility of a religiously motivated attack.
Law enforcement sources noted similarities between suspect and another mass shooter in a recent North Carolina incident, both of whom were 40-year-old males.
Police are also investigating a secondary scene in Burton, Hale’s hometown, in connection with the case.
Witnesses described suspect wearing camouflage pants during the attack. While some at the scene did not recognize him personally, they confirmed his vehicle matched the description of a truck displaying Iraq War veteran identifiers.
Emergency crews continue to battle the fire at the LDS church, located at 4285 McCandlish Road, as thick smoke rises from the collapsing structure. Police estimate that hundreds of people were inside the church when the attack began, and several remain unaccounted for.
At least 15 to 20 emergency vehicles, including unmarked law enforcement units, responded along South Saginaw Street. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area while bomb squad operations and rescue efforts are underway.
A press conference has been scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET, where officials are expected to provide updated casualty figures, information on the suspected explosive, and further details about the investigation.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.