According to the police, the suspect, a man in his 40s, is believed to have driven through the church's entrance with a car and then started shooting. He is also suspected of being behind the fire, which is now under control.
We believe that we will find additional people who have fallen victim when the crime scene is secured, says William Renye, chief of police in Grand Blanc, at a press conference.
A short time after the incident, the police announced that one person had been killed. Late on Sunday evening Swedish time, it was confirmed that another person had died at the hospital. Among the injured is one person who is in critical condition, while the situation for the remaining seven is described as stable.
Killed by police
The suspect was shot dead after he opened fire on the police who arrived at the scene. The act took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church, in Grand Blanc, located a few miles north of Detroit. The church writes on its website that hundreds of congregation members were on site for worship when the attack took place.
The motive is still unclear. The police will conduct a house search in the suspected shooter's home and empty his mobile phone. About 100 FBI employees have been sent to Grand Blanc to help gather witness information.
As you can imagine, we have a lot of witnesses in the church and there is a lot of witness information that we need to ensure, says William Renye.
Trump: "Terrible"
In pictures from the scene, a massive cloud of smoke can be seen rising towards the sky as the church burned.
US President Donald Trump calls the attack "terrible" in a post on Truth Social and urges to pray for the victims.
"This violence epidemic in our country must end, immediately!", he writes.
The act occurs the day after Russell M Nelson, the Mormon church's highest leader, passed away at the age of 101.
