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
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.