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.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.