Tragedy at the Altar: A Chronicle of Church Shootings in the US
A gunman opened fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Michigan, marking another tragic attack on U.S. houses of worship over the last two decades. Other major incidents include shootings in Minnesota, Alabama, and South Carolina, often motivated by personal grievances or extremism.
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In a shocking incident, a gunman opened fire inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. This attack, which included driving a vehicle into the church's front door, adds to the growing list of violent acts against religious establishments in the United States over recent decades.
This distressing episode is one of many that have plagued places of worship in the US. On August 27, 2025, a tragic incident in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of two children during a church mass. Past shootings also include the 2015 attack at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, where nine people were killed, and the 2012 massacre at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, which left seven dead.
Such attacks often have roots in personal vendettas or extremist beliefs. Notable examples include the Alabama church shooting during a potluck dinner in 2022, which claimed three lives. Additionally, the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting by a known white supremacist also reflects this troubling trend. These incidents highlight the ongoing vulnerability of sacred spaces to violence.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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