The FBI has confirmed that the man who opened fire in a Michigan church and set it ablaze was motivated by “anti religious beliefs” against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This motive was determined based upon countless hours of investigative efforts by our team as well as the cooperation of law enforcement partners the community and the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

While friends close to the gunman in the deadly shooting have said he long harbored hatred against the church, the FBI had previously declined to specify the motivation behind the attack that left four people dead and the church burned to the ground, except to say it was “targeted” act of violence.