A horrific attack unfolded on Sunday morning at a **Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints** meetinghouse in **Grand Blanc Township, Michigan**, claiming at least **four lives** and leaving **eight wounded**. The suspected gunman, identified as **Thomas Jacob Sanford**, was killed by law enforcement shortly after the assault began. AP News first reported the details as the community reeled from the shock.
Police say the attack began around **10:25 a.m. EDT**, when Sanford crashed a pickup truck into the front of the church — reportedly driving through the doors with two large American flags mounted on the bed. Reuters accounts describe how he then exited the vehicle, opened fire on congregants, and apparently ignited a blaze using gasoline or another accelerant. Eyewitnesses told The Guardian they saw panic and chaos as smoke and gunfire erupted.
Gunman fires into church, sets building ablaze — Michigan faces horror at Sunday service. — @AP
Law enforcement responded with urgency. According to Grand Blanc police, officers engaged the attacker just **eight minutes after the first 911 call**, at which point Sanford was fatally shot in the church’s parking area. Al Jazeera’s summary notes that the building was engulfed in flames and partially collapsed, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
At the scene, first responders also discovered what authorities believe are **explosive devices** in the suspect’s vehicle, further heightening the danger of the operation. The Washington Post reported that federal investigators, including the FBI and ATF, are treating the attack as a deliberate act of targeted violence. More than 100 agents have been dispatched for forensics, interviews, and review of Sanford’s digital footprints as they hunt for a motive.
Authorities say explosive devices and accelerants found — FBI leads probe into church massacre. — @Reuters
So far, the motive remains a dark mystery. Investigators are exploring all angles, including any threats previously made against the congregation, social media activity, and possible connections to the recent death of LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson — who died just a day before. ABC News reported that timing of Nelson’s passing is under review, though authorities caution against drawing premature inferences.
Sanford, 40, was a former U.S. Marine and Iraq War veteran, serving from 2004 to 2008. ABC News confirmed his service and rank. Local records show he lived in Burton, Michigan, a short drive from Grand Blanc. Family accounts portray him as having a son who battled a rare medical condition, but little is known publicly about his life in recent years.
The victims include longtime congregants, families, and youth attending Sunday services. Two victims died at the site, another succumbed later at hospitals, and two more bodies were discovered in the church’s charred remains after firefighters and search crews gained access. AP News shared that several of the injured are expected to recover, though one remains in critical condition.
The attack comes amid a troubling pattern of violence at places of worship. The Guardian contextualized that the Michigan shooting was one of multiple mass shootings over the weekend, including others in North Carolina and Texas. In 2025 alone, the Gun Violence Archive counts hundreds of such incidents in public spaces.
Church shootings surge — Michigan attack marks another tragedy in a worsening trend. — @TheGuardian
Responses from political and religious leaders have been swift. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer expressed heartbreak and vowed state support, calling places of worship “sacred ground.” AP quoted her remarks. President Donald Trump condemned the attack as a targeted assault on Christians and demanded full federal cooperation in the investigation. Reuters noted that he called for action to end what he labeled an “epidemic of violence.”
For the Grand Blanc community and the LDS congregation specifically, the ordeal has shaken faith in security at religious services. Churches nationwide are now on alert, increasing protective measures, vetting entry protocols, and coordinating with local law enforcement. The Washington Post observed that houses of worship have become particularly vulnerable targets in recent years.
There are still many unanswered questions: Did Sanford have ties to the church? What drove him to such violence? Was the fire meant to conceal further victims? Authorities warn that answers may take time as the charred wreckage complicates evidence recovery. The FBI’s full timeline, motive finding, and digital forensics could stretch into weeks or months.
What remains clear is that a Sunday meant for prayers and community has become etched in tragedy. As the victims’ families grieve and survivors search for meaning, Grand Blanc’s tragedy joins a painful national conversation about security, hate, faith, and the fragility of safety in public sanctuaries.
