Harrowing first-hand accounts are emerging from those who witnessed a violent attack at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday. The incident, which left four dead and eight injured, has left the community reeling as survivors describe scenes of panic and fear.

Paul Kirby, a survivor present during the attack, recounted hearing what he believed was an explosion before seeing a man exit his truck and begin shooting. “The scariest I’ve ever been,” Kirby said, describing the terror in his oldest son’s eyes as the violence unfolded. Another survivor, Brian Taylor, detailed how bullets narrowly missed him as he attempted to flee the scene, while Cindy Walsh, who observed the chaos from her home nearby, described smoke billowing from the church shortly after the attack began.

The gunman, identified as a man who had driven his truck into the church before opening fire, was killed in the parking lot eight minutes after police arrived. However, the violence did not end there—fires broke out in the church’s meeting house, trapping an unknown number of people inside. Authorities confirmed that up to seven individuals remained unaccounted for as crews worked through the night to recover bodies from the wreckage.

Churchgoers demonstrated heroism amid the chaos, with some shielding children and moving them to safety. Brian Taylor described how he and others tried to evacuate elderly congregants, only to be shot at by the attacker. Paula Maser, a primary school teacher, recounted the sudden violence during a sacrament meeting, describing how the doors were blown in by an explosion before chaos erupted. She recalled being shot at as she fled, with three bullets striking her vehicle.

Survivors emphasized the lack of security measures in place, raising questions about preparedness for such attacks. As the community grapples with the tragedy, calls for vigilance and prayer echo through the region. The incident has left an indelible mark on those who witnessed it, underscoring the fragility of safety even in places of worship.