The gunman has since been identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former Marine who was shot dead by police after launching his attack.

Harrowing reports from Sky News detail how Sanford allegedly drove a vehicle bearing two US national flags through the front doors of the church before opening fire with an assault rifle.

The 40-year-old, who served with the Marines for four years between 2004 to 2008 and was deployed in Iraq, then got out of his vehicle and fired upon people attending Sunday service.