A Sunday morning service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, turned into horror when an ex-Marine rammed a pickup truck into the building, opened fire on worshippers, and set the church ablaze. The attack left at least four people dead and eight others wounded before the gunman was fatally shot by police. Authorities said they were still combing through the ruins for possible additional victims.
The gunman, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, arrived with two American flags in his truck bed before unleashing gunfire on the congregation of hundreds. Investigators believe he used gas to ignite the fire and may have carried explosives. Officers responding to a 911 call were on scene within 30 seconds, and Sanford was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police just eight minutes later.
Witnesses inside the church described moments of terror as families shielded children and tried to usher them to safety while flames and smoke engulfed the building. Two bodies were discovered in the debris, while among the eight injured, one person remained in critical condition. Authorities confirmed that some worshippers were still unaccounted for.
The FBI is leading the investigation, calling it an act of targeted violence. Sanford, who served in the Marines from 2004 to 2008 and deployed to Iraq, left behind unanswered questions. His motives remain unclear, and investigators are searching his home for clues.
The attack was the latest in a string of deadly assaults on U.S. houses of worship, coming less than 24 hours after a separate shooting in North Carolina killed three. President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the tragedy, praised law enforcement’s response, and called for an end to the “epidemic of violence.”
The shooting shook Michigan’s tight-knit Mormon community. Timothy Jones, whose children often attended events at the Grand Blanc church, said the attack shattered what should have been a day of peace. “Sundays are supposed to be a time of reflection and worship,” he said, “but now tragedy feels inevitable, and all the more heartbreaking because of that.”
Support quickly poured in from across the state. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer condemned the violence as “unacceptable,” and about 100 people gathered at a nearby church for a candlelight prayer service. Pastor Chuck Lindsey led the congregation in prayer for the victims, their families, and first responders. “We’re exhausted by the evil,” he said, “but Lord, you are our refuge.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed it is working closely with investigators and emphasized that places of worship must remain sanctuaries of peace. But for many in Grand Blanc, the day will be remembered as one of grief, fear, and unimaginable loss.